Mobile Phone Apps for Food Allergies or Intolerances in App Stores: Systematic Search and Quality Assessment Using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS).
Mobile Phone Apps for Food Allergies or Intolerances in App Stores: Systematic Search and Quality Assessment Using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS).
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DOI：
10.2196/18339
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发表时间：
2020-09-16
影响因子：
5
通讯作者：
Solà R
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Mandracchia F;Llauradó E;Tarro L;Valls RM;Solà R
食物过敏和不耐受在世界范围内不断增加，移动的手机应用程序可能是自我管理这些问题的一个有前途的工具。本研究旨在使用多维移动的应用程序评级量表（MARS）系统搜索和评估应用程序商店中的食物过敏或不耐受应用程序，以评定客观和主观质量，并确定未来改进的关键点。该系统性检索通过Apple App Store（iOS）和Google Play Store（Android）中的关键词“食物过敏”、“食物不耐受”和“过敏原”（英语、西班牙语和意大利语）识别应用程序。入选标准是用户星星评级≥3（5星），以将选择限制在最高评级的应用程序; ≥1000条评论作为可靠性指标;最近一次更新时间为2017年。然后，应用程序根据其用途进行划分（在“膳食计划者”中搜索无过敏原的“食品”、“餐馆”或食谱），并使用MARS在（1）具有描述性目的的应用程序分类类别方面以1至5分的量表进行评估;（2）应用程序的主观和客观质量类别，包括参与，功能，美学，和信息部分（在Medline中搜索符合条件的应用程序，以检查它们是否已在试验中进行过测试）;以及（3）可选的应用程序特定部分。此外，输出和输入功能进行了评估。评估了MARS部分之间和应用程序目的之间的差异以及MARS部分、星星评级和评论数量之间的相关性。在确定的1376个应用程序中，包括14个：12个与食物过敏和不耐受有关，检测2-16种食物过敏原，2个仅与麸质不耐受有关。平均（SD）MARS评分（最高5分）为：客观质量3.8（SD 0.4），突出显示是否在试验中测试了任何应用程序;主观质量3.5（SD 0.6）;应用程序特定部分3.6（SD 0.7）。因此，评分≥3分表示总体质量可接受。从节段间比较来看，参与度（平均值3.5，SD 0.6）得分显著低于功能性（平均值4.1，SD 0.6）、美学（平均值4，SD 0.5）和信息（平均值3.8，SD 0.4）。然而，当按目的比较应用程序时，确定了关键点：膳食计划应用程序的参与度（平均值4.1，SD 0.4）显著高于食品（平均值3.0，SD 0.6; P=.05）和餐厅（平均值3.2，SD 0.3; P=.02）应用程序。在对食物过敏或不耐受应用程序的系统性检索中，确定了可接受的MARS质量，尽管食品和餐厅应用程序的参与部分应得到改进，并且应在试验中测试所包含的应用程序。在这次系统性搜索中确定的关键点可以帮助提高未来食物过敏和不耐受应用程序的创新性和适用性。
Food allergies and intolerances are increasing worldwide, and mobile phone apps could be a promising tool for self-management of these issues. This study aimed to systemically search and assess food allergy or intolerance apps in app stores using the multidimensional Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) to rate the objective and subjective quality and to identify critical points for future improvements. This systematic search identified apps through the keywords “food allergy,” “food intolerance,” and “allergens” in English, Spanish, and Italian in the Apple App Store (iOS) and Google Play Store (Android). The inclusion criteria were a user star rating of ≥3 (of 5 stars) to limit the selection to the most highly rated apps; ≥1000 reviews as an indicator of reliability; and the most recent update performed up to 2017. Then, the apps were divided according to their purpose (searching for allergen-free “food products,” “restaurants,” or recipes in “meal planners”) and evaluated on a scale of 1 to 5 points using the MARS in terms of (1) app classification category with a descriptive aim; (2) app subjective and objective quality categories comprised of engagement, functionality, esthetics, and information sections (Medline was searched for eligible apps to check whether they had been tested in trials); and (3) an optional app-specific section. Furthermore, the output and input features were evaluated. Differences between MARS sections and between app purposes and correlations among MARS sections, star ratings, and numbers of reviews were evaluated. Of the 1376 apps identified, 14 were included: 12 related to food allergies and intolerances that detect 2-16 food allergens and 2 related only to gluten intolerance. The mean (SD) MARS scores (maximum 5 points) were 3.8 (SD 0.4) for objective quality, highlighting whether any app had been tested in trials; 3.5 (SD 0.6) for subjective quality; and 3.6 (SD 0.7) for the app-specific section. Therefore, a rating ≥3 points indicated overall acceptable quality. From the between-section comparison, engagement (mean 3.5, SD 0.6) obtained significantly lower scores than functionality (mean 4.1, SD 0.6), esthetics (mean 4, SD 0.5), and information (mean 3.8, SD 0.4). However, when the apps were compared by purpose, critical points were identified: meal planner apps showed significantly higher engagement (mean 4.1, SD 0.4) than food product (mean 3.0, SD 0.6; P=.05) and restaurant (mean 3.2, SD 0.3; P=.02) apps. In this systematic search of food allergy or intolerance apps, acceptable MARS quality was identified, although the engagement section for food product and restaurant purpose apps should be improved and the included apps should be tested in trials. The critical points identified in this systematic search can help improve the innovativeness and applicability of future food allergy and intolerance apps.