Systematic Evaluation of the Behavior Change Techniques and Quality of Commercially Available Cancer Self-Management Apps

摘要

QUESTION ASKED: What are the content (behavior change techniques [BCTs]) and quality of publicly available cancer self-management apps? SUMMARY ANSWER: Apps included an average of 5.85 BCTs and 3.54 cancer management BCTs, and no apps were of excellent quality. WHAT WE DID: Trained raters using standardized procedures coded the BCTs and quality of cancer self-management apps identified via searches of the Apple and Google Play stores in April 2022. WHAT WE FOUND: The most common app content was educational or informational BCTs. Apps scored the lowest in information and subjective quality, and these domains represent opportunities to improve app quality. BIAS, CONFOUNDING FACTOR(S): The current review is not a comprehensive evaluation of all available apps and did not evaluate app efficacy. REAL-LIFE IMPLICATIONS: As educational or informational BCTs alone are unlikely to be sufficient to change behavior for all patients, we recommend that health care professionals considering apps in their evidence-based practice select apps that go beyond these strategies. Given the variability in quality scores, health care professionals are also encouraged to consider app quality alongside other factors relevant to app selection (eg, patient preferences and patient resources).