Maximilian Blomberg, Hilmar Gero Zech, Maximilian Kluge, Nico Böhmert, Helmut Platte, Timo Brockmeyer
Background: Effective treatments for depression are available, yet many patients do not respond to treatment or experience relapse. Cognitive bias modification aims to ameliorate cognitive biases that contribute to the development and maintenance of the disorder.
Objective: This study examines the efficacy of a novel mobile approach-avoidance bias modification training with socioemotional cues for depression.
Methods: In this randomized clinical superiority trial, 75 inpatients with depression underwent 6 sessions of either active or sham approach-avoidance bias modification training with socioemotional cues over the course of 2 weeks alongside inpatient treatment as usual. The primary outcome was self-reported depressive symptoms, and the secondary outcomes included approach-avoidance bias based on reaction time and response force, anhedonia, and positivity. Outcomes were assessed before and after the training, and again at 2-week and 6-month follow-ups. The primary hypothesis was that active training would lead to a stronger decrease in symptoms of depression at the end of training.
Results: Both groups improved in depressive symptoms from baseline to the end-of-training assessment but did not differ in this regard (B=-1.14, 95% CI -5.65-3.41; t188.61=-0.47; P=.64; d=-0.09, 95% CI -0.46-0.28). Changes in anhedonia, positivity, and approach-avoidance bias were also not different between training groups, neither at end of training (P=.16) nor at the 2-week follow-up (P=.69). However, the active training group showed a significantly greater reduction in depressive symptoms from the baseline assessment to the 6-month follow-up (B=7.26, 95% CI 2.53-11.93; t190.54=2.95; P=.004; d=0.58, 95% CI 0.20-0.96). Permuted split-half reliability of the mobile assessment of approach-avoidance bias ranged from 0.77 to 0.94 for reaction times and from 0.81 to 0.93 for response force. Approach-avoidance bias was not altered by the training and did not mediate the training effects.
Conclusions: Mobile approach-avoidance bias modification training with socioemotional cues did not reduce depressive symptoms in the short term but did in the long term. Mobile training and assessment versions may be more feasible in the future, as they require no joystick setup and can be conducted on patients' smartphones. Future work needs to further examine short- and long-term efficacy and the mechanisms driving long-term symptom change in larger multicenter trials.
背景:抑郁症有有效的治疗方法,但许多患者对治疗没有反应或复发。认知偏见矫正旨在改善认知偏见,促进障碍的发展和维持。目的:本研究考察了一种新的移动方法-社会情绪提示回避偏见修正训练对抑郁症的疗效。方法:在这项随机临床优势试验中,75名住院抑郁症患者在正常住院治疗的同时,在2周的时间内接受了6次主动或虚假的社会情绪提示的避近偏差纠正训练。主要结局是自我报告的抑郁症状,次要结局包括基于反应时间和反应力、快感缺乏症和积极性的回避偏向。在训练前后评估结果,并在2周和6个月的随访中再次评估结果。最初的假设是,在训练结束时,积极的训练会导致抑郁症状的更强烈的减少。结果:从基线到训练结束评估,两组抑郁症状均有所改善,但在这方面没有差异(B=-1.14, 95% CI -5.65-3.41; t188.61=-0.47; P= 0.64; d=-0.09, 95% CI -0.46-0.28)。训练结束时(P= 0.16)和2周随访时(P= 0.69),训练组间快感缺乏、积极性和方法回避偏差的变化也没有差异。然而,从基线评估到6个月的随访,积极训练组的抑郁症状明显减少(B=7.26, 95% CI 2.53-11.93; t190.54=2.95; P= 0.004; d=0.58, 95% CI 0.20-0.96)。方法回避偏差移动评估的排列分半信度在反应时间和反应力方面分别为0.77 ~ 0.94和0.81 ~ 0.93。趋近回避偏差不受训练的影响,也不作为训练效果的中介。结论:带有社会情绪线索的移动回避偏见修正训练在短期内不能减轻抑郁症状,但在长期内可以减轻抑郁症状。移动培训和评估版本在未来可能更可行,因为它们不需要设置操纵杆,可以在患者的智能手机上进行。未来的工作需要在更大的多中心试验中进一步研究短期和长期疗效以及驱动长期症状改变的机制。
{"title":"Smartphone-Based Approach-Avoidance Bias Modification Training for Depression: Randomized Clinical Trial.","authors":"Maximilian Blomberg, Hilmar Gero Zech, Maximilian Kluge, Nico Böhmert, Helmut Platte, Timo Brockmeyer","doi":"10.2196/69033","DOIUrl":"10.2196/69033","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Effective treatments for depression are available, yet many patients do not respond to treatment or experience relapse. Cognitive bias modification aims to ameliorate cognitive biases that contribute to the development and maintenance of the disorder.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study examines the efficacy of a novel mobile approach-avoidance bias modification training with socioemotional cues for depression.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this randomized clinical superiority trial, 75 inpatients with depression underwent 6 sessions of either active or sham approach-avoidance bias modification training with socioemotional cues over the course of 2 weeks alongside inpatient treatment as usual. The primary outcome was self-reported depressive symptoms, and the secondary outcomes included approach-avoidance bias based on reaction time and response force, anhedonia, and positivity. Outcomes were assessed before and after the training, and again at 2-week and 6-month follow-ups. The primary hypothesis was that active training would lead to a stronger decrease in symptoms of depression at the end of training.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Both groups improved in depressive symptoms from baseline to the end-of-training assessment but did not differ in this regard (B=-1.14, 95% CI -5.65-3.41; t188.61=-0.47; P=.64; d=-0.09, 95% CI -0.46-0.28). Changes in anhedonia, positivity, and approach-avoidance bias were also not different between training groups, neither at end of training (P=.16) nor at the 2-week follow-up (P=.69). However, the active training group showed a significantly greater reduction in depressive symptoms from the baseline assessment to the 6-month follow-up (B=7.26, 95% CI 2.53-11.93; t190.54=2.95; P=.004; d=0.58, 95% CI 0.20-0.96). Permuted split-half reliability of the mobile assessment of approach-avoidance bias ranged from 0.77 to 0.94 for reaction times and from 0.81 to 0.93 for response force. Approach-avoidance bias was not altered by the training and did not mediate the training effects.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Mobile approach-avoidance bias modification training with socioemotional cues did not reduce depressive symptoms in the short term but did in the long term. Mobile training and assessment versions may be more feasible in the future, as they require no joystick setup and can be conducted on patients' smartphones. Future work needs to further examine short- and long-term efficacy and the mechanisms driving long-term symptom change in larger multicenter trials.</p>","PeriodicalId":14756,"journal":{"name":"JMIR mHealth and uHealth","volume":"13 ","pages":"e69033"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2025-11-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12661601/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145633365","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Maximilian Blomberg, Lisa Oberender, Ernst Koster, Timo Brockmeyer
<p><strong>Background: </strong>Various mental disorders are associated with impaired cognitive control, which is crucial for effective emotion regulation. Cognitive control training has demonstrated promise in enhancing emotion regulation and alleviating distress in disorders characterized by repetitive negative thinking, such as depression and anxiety.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>Given the importance of cognitive control and emotion regulation across mental disorders, this study investigates the efficacy of a mobile cognitive control training in a transdiagnostic outpatient sample awaiting psychotherapy.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this randomized clinical superiority trial with 2 parallel arms, 80 patients with various mental disorders from an outpatient waiting list received either 10 sessions of mobile cognitive control training using the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) or an active control training using a speed of response task. The primary outcome was mental distress, measured by the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-11 (HSCL-11). Secondary outcomes included measures of cognitive control, rumination, repetitive negative thinking, difficulties in emotion regulation, cognitive emotion regulation, and disorder-specific symptoms. Outcomes were measured at baseline, post training, and at 3-month and 6-month follow-up.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Contrary to our primary hypothesis, cognitive control training was not superior in improving global mental distress directly after training (B=-.03, 95% CI -0.21, 0.16; t179.60=-0.26; P=.80; d=-0.04, 95% CI -0.35, 0.28); however, it led to greater improvements in cognitive control (B=-0.56, 95% CI -0.59,-0.54; z=-18.02; P<.001; d=-1.23, 95% CI -1.30,-1.20). This effect was similar at the 3-month and 6-month follow-up. Furthermore, at 3-month follow-up, cognitive control training resulted in fewer difficulties in emotion regulation (B=4.73, 95% CI 0.52, 9.12; t177.99=2.09; P=.04; d=0.34, 95% CI 0.04, 0.65), and anxiety symptoms (B=2.94, 95% CI 0.38, 5.82; t66.51=2.09; P=.04; d=0.70, 95% CI 0.09, 1.38), although the latter refers to a small subsample of patients with anxiety disorders. At 6-month follow-up, cognitive control training led to more adaptive cognitive emotion regulation (B=-5.18, 95% CI -9.74,-0.41; t180.90=-2.16; P=.03; d=-0.40, 95% CI -0.75,-0.03), and less social anxiety (B=2.00, 95% CI 0.14, 3.81; t43.43=2.08; P=.04; d=0.66, 95% CI 0.05, 1.24). The groups did not differ in any other outcome at any point in time.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study is the first to assess the efficacy of a mobile cognitive control training using the PASAT in a transdiagnostic outpatient sample. There was no evidence for the training's efficacy on global mental distress and only weak evidence for the superiority in measures of emotion regulation and anxiety at follow-ups. Potential mediating pathways and moderating factors, such as the number of training sessions, should be i
背景:各种精神障碍都与认知控制受损有关,认知控制对有效的情绪调节至关重要。认知控制训练在增强情绪调节和减轻以重复消极思维为特征的障碍(如抑郁和焦虑)的痛苦方面已经证明了前景。目的:考虑到认知控制和情绪调节在精神障碍中的重要性,本研究探讨了移动认知控制训练在等待心理治疗的跨诊断门诊样本中的效果。方法:在这项随机临床优势试验中,从门诊候诊名单中选出80名不同类型的精神障碍患者,分别接受了10次使用节奏性听觉连续加法测试(PASAT)的移动认知控制训练或使用反应速度任务的主动控制训练。主要结果是精神痛苦,由霍普金斯症状检查表-11 (HSCL-11)测量。次要结果包括认知控制、反刍、重复消极思维、情绪调节困难、认知情绪调节和障碍特异性症状的测量。在基线、训练后、3个月和6个月随访时测量结果。结果:与我们的初步假设相反,认知控制训练在训练后直接改善整体精神困扰方面并不优越(B=- 0.03, 95% CI -0.21, 0.16; t179.60=-0.26; P= 0.80; d=-0.04, 95% CI -0.35, 0.28);然而,它导致了认知控制的更大改善(B=-0.56, 95% CI -0.59,-0.54; z=-18.02; p)结论:本研究是第一个评估使用PASAT在跨诊断门诊样本中进行移动认知控制训练的效果。没有证据表明该培训对整体精神困扰的有效性,只有微弱的证据表明,在随访中,情绪调节和焦虑的测量具有优势。潜在的中介途径和调节因素,如训练次数,应该在更大规模的研究中进行调查。
{"title":"Transdiagnostic Cognitive Control Training for Patients Waiting for Outpatient Psychotherapy: Randomized Clinical Trial.","authors":"Maximilian Blomberg, Lisa Oberender, Ernst Koster, Timo Brockmeyer","doi":"10.2196/65867","DOIUrl":"10.2196/65867","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Various mental disorders are associated with impaired cognitive control, which is crucial for effective emotion regulation. Cognitive control training has demonstrated promise in enhancing emotion regulation and alleviating distress in disorders characterized by repetitive negative thinking, such as depression and anxiety.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>Given the importance of cognitive control and emotion regulation across mental disorders, this study investigates the efficacy of a mobile cognitive control training in a transdiagnostic outpatient sample awaiting psychotherapy.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this randomized clinical superiority trial with 2 parallel arms, 80 patients with various mental disorders from an outpatient waiting list received either 10 sessions of mobile cognitive control training using the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) or an active control training using a speed of response task. The primary outcome was mental distress, measured by the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-11 (HSCL-11). Secondary outcomes included measures of cognitive control, rumination, repetitive negative thinking, difficulties in emotion regulation, cognitive emotion regulation, and disorder-specific symptoms. Outcomes were measured at baseline, post training, and at 3-month and 6-month follow-up.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Contrary to our primary hypothesis, cognitive control training was not superior in improving global mental distress directly after training (B=-.03, 95% CI -0.21, 0.16; t179.60=-0.26; P=.80; d=-0.04, 95% CI -0.35, 0.28); however, it led to greater improvements in cognitive control (B=-0.56, 95% CI -0.59,-0.54; z=-18.02; P<.001; d=-1.23, 95% CI -1.30,-1.20). This effect was similar at the 3-month and 6-month follow-up. Furthermore, at 3-month follow-up, cognitive control training resulted in fewer difficulties in emotion regulation (B=4.73, 95% CI 0.52, 9.12; t177.99=2.09; P=.04; d=0.34, 95% CI 0.04, 0.65), and anxiety symptoms (B=2.94, 95% CI 0.38, 5.82; t66.51=2.09; P=.04; d=0.70, 95% CI 0.09, 1.38), although the latter refers to a small subsample of patients with anxiety disorders. At 6-month follow-up, cognitive control training led to more adaptive cognitive emotion regulation (B=-5.18, 95% CI -9.74,-0.41; t180.90=-2.16; P=.03; d=-0.40, 95% CI -0.75,-0.03), and less social anxiety (B=2.00, 95% CI 0.14, 3.81; t43.43=2.08; P=.04; d=0.66, 95% CI 0.05, 1.24). The groups did not differ in any other outcome at any point in time.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study is the first to assess the efficacy of a mobile cognitive control training using the PASAT in a transdiagnostic outpatient sample. There was no evidence for the training's efficacy on global mental distress and only weak evidence for the superiority in measures of emotion regulation and anxiety at follow-ups. Potential mediating pathways and moderating factors, such as the number of training sessions, should be i","PeriodicalId":14756,"journal":{"name":"JMIR mHealth and uHealth","volume":"13 ","pages":"e65867"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2025-11-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12655892/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145633335","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yun Du, Jun-Ying Fan, Guang-Zhi Liu, Zi-Yue Yang, Yang Lei, Yu-Fang Guo
<p><strong>Background: </strong>Mobile health (mHealth) apps are believed to be an effective method to support family caregivers to better care for patients with stroke. This study's purpose was to explore the status and the influencing factors of mHealth app use among family caregivers of patients with stroke via machine learning (ML) models.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to understand the status quo of mHealth app use among community family caregivers of patients with stroke and the factors influencing their use behavior. Six ML models were used to construct the classifier, and the Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) algorithm was introduced to interpret the best ML model.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this cross-sectional study, family carers of patients with stroke were recruited. Data on their basic profile and mHealth app use were obtained through face-to-face questionnaires. Hedonic motivation, usage habits, and other relevant information were additionally measured among app users. A total of 12 models were constructed using six ML algorithms. The top-performing logistic regression and random forest models were further analyzed with SHAP to interpret key influencing factors.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 360 family caregivers of patients with stroke were included in this study from March 2023 to November 2023, of which 206 (57.2%) reported having used mHealth apps. Of the 6 ML models, the logistic regression model performed the best in terms of whether caregivers used the mHealth app, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.753 (95% CI 0.698-0.802), accuracy of 0.694 (95% CI 0.647-0.742), sensitivity of 0.748 (95% CI 0.688-0.806), and specificity of 0.623 (95% CI 0.547-0.698). SHAP analysis showed that the top 5 most influencing factors were educational level, age, the patient's self-care ability, the relationship with the cared-for individual, and the duration of illness. The random forest model performed best in terms of use behavior with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.773 (95% CI 0.725-0.818), accuracy of 0.602 (95% CI 0.534-0.665), sensitivity of 0.476 (95% CI 0.420-0.533), and specificity of 0.769 (95% CI 0.738-0.797). The SHAP analysis revealed that hedonic motivation, habits, occupation, convenience conditions, and effort expectations were the 5 most significant influencing factors.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The research results indicate that the software developers and policymakers of mHealth apps should take the abovementioned influencing factors into consideration when developing and promoting the software. We should focus on the older adults with lower educational levels, lower the threshold for software use, and provide more convenient conditions. By grasping the hedonistic tendencies and habitual usage characteristics of users, they can provide them with more concise and accurate health information, which will enhance
背景:移动医疗(mHealth)应用程序被认为是支持家庭护理人员更好地照顾中风患者的有效方法。本研究的目的是通过机器学习(ML)模型探讨中风患者家庭护理人员使用移动健康应用程序的现状及其影响因素。目的:了解脑卒中患者社区家庭照护者移动健康app使用现状及影响其使用行为的因素。使用6个ML模型构建分类器,并引入Shapley加性解释(SHAP)算法来解释最佳ML模型。方法:在横断面研究中,招募脑卒中患者的家庭照顾者。他们的基本资料和移动健康应用程序的使用数据是通过面对面的问卷调查获得的。此外,还测量了应用程序用户的享乐动机、使用习惯和其他相关信息。使用6种ML算法共构建了12个模型。对表现最好的logistic回归和随机森林模型进行进一步的SHAP分析,以解释关键影响因素。结果:从2023年3月至2023年11月,共有360名卒中患者的家庭护理人员被纳入本研究,其中206名(57.2%)报告使用过移动健康应用程序。在6个ML模型中,logistic回归模型在护理人员是否使用移动健康应用程序方面表现最好,接受者工作特征曲线下的面积为0.753 (95% CI 0.698-0.802),准确率为0.694 (95% CI 0.647-0.742),灵敏度为0.748 (95% CI 0.688-0.806),特异性为0.623 (95% CI 0.547-0.698)。SHAP分析显示,前5位影响因素为受教育程度、年龄、患者自我照顾能力、与被照顾者的关系、病程。随机森林模型在使用行为方面表现最好,受试者工作特征曲线下面积为0.773 (95% CI 0.725-0.818),准确度为0.602 (95% CI 0.534-0.665),灵敏度为0.476 (95% CI 0.42 -0.533),特异性为0.769 (95% CI 0.738-0.797)。SHAP分析显示,享乐动机、习惯、职业、便利条件和努力期望是5个最显著的影响因素。结论:研究结果表明,移动健康app的软件开发者和政策制定者在开发和推广软件时应考虑上述影响因素。重点针对文化程度较低的老年人,降低软件使用门槛,提供更多便利条件。通过掌握用户的享乐主义倾向和习惯使用特征,可以为用户提供更简洁准确的健康信息,从而提升移动健康app的普及度和有效性。
{"title":"Interpretable Machine Learning Models for Analyzing Determinants Affecting the Use of mHealth Apps Among Family Caregivers of Patients With Stroke in Chinese Communities: Cross-Sectional Survey Study.","authors":"Yun Du, Jun-Ying Fan, Guang-Zhi Liu, Zi-Yue Yang, Yang Lei, Yu-Fang Guo","doi":"10.2196/73903","DOIUrl":"10.2196/73903","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Mobile health (mHealth) apps are believed to be an effective method to support family caregivers to better care for patients with stroke. This study's purpose was to explore the status and the influencing factors of mHealth app use among family caregivers of patients with stroke via machine learning (ML) models.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to understand the status quo of mHealth app use among community family caregivers of patients with stroke and the factors influencing their use behavior. Six ML models were used to construct the classifier, and the Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) algorithm was introduced to interpret the best ML model.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this cross-sectional study, family carers of patients with stroke were recruited. Data on their basic profile and mHealth app use were obtained through face-to-face questionnaires. Hedonic motivation, usage habits, and other relevant information were additionally measured among app users. A total of 12 models were constructed using six ML algorithms. The top-performing logistic regression and random forest models were further analyzed with SHAP to interpret key influencing factors.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 360 family caregivers of patients with stroke were included in this study from March 2023 to November 2023, of which 206 (57.2%) reported having used mHealth apps. Of the 6 ML models, the logistic regression model performed the best in terms of whether caregivers used the mHealth app, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.753 (95% CI 0.698-0.802), accuracy of 0.694 (95% CI 0.647-0.742), sensitivity of 0.748 (95% CI 0.688-0.806), and specificity of 0.623 (95% CI 0.547-0.698). SHAP analysis showed that the top 5 most influencing factors were educational level, age, the patient's self-care ability, the relationship with the cared-for individual, and the duration of illness. The random forest model performed best in terms of use behavior with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.773 (95% CI 0.725-0.818), accuracy of 0.602 (95% CI 0.534-0.665), sensitivity of 0.476 (95% CI 0.420-0.533), and specificity of 0.769 (95% CI 0.738-0.797). The SHAP analysis revealed that hedonic motivation, habits, occupation, convenience conditions, and effort expectations were the 5 most significant influencing factors.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The research results indicate that the software developers and policymakers of mHealth apps should take the abovementioned influencing factors into consideration when developing and promoting the software. We should focus on the older adults with lower educational levels, lower the threshold for software use, and provide more convenient conditions. By grasping the hedonistic tendencies and habitual usage characteristics of users, they can provide them with more concise and accurate health information, which will enhance ","PeriodicalId":14756,"journal":{"name":"JMIR mHealth and uHealth","volume":"13 ","pages":"e73903"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2025-11-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12643396/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145596584","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Methodological Considerations in Evaluating Mental Health Apps: Ensuring Reliability and Patient Safety.","authors":"Harikrishnan Balakrishna","doi":"10.2196/85329","DOIUrl":"10.2196/85329","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":14756,"journal":{"name":"JMIR mHealth and uHealth","volume":"13 ","pages":"e85329"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2025-11-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12629528/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145557111","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Higinio Fernández-Sánchez, Javier Salazar-Alberto, Jhan Carlos Manuel Fernández-Delgado, Annalynn Galvin, Michael J Mugavero, Carlos E Rodriguez-Diaz, Diane Santa Maria
<p><strong>Background: </strong>Canada, Mexico, and the United States are primary transit destinations for migrants in the Western Hemisphere. Migrants face barriers to accessing health services, including HIV and AIDS and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention. Mobile apps may enhance public health access for these populations.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aims to systematically identify and evaluate mobile apps supporting HIV and STI prevention in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An environmental scan of 357 mobile apps from the Google Play and Apple App stores was conducted on June 18, 2024, following the rigorous 6-step framework proposed by Fernández-Sánchez to ensure a systematic and comprehensive evaluation of apps for HIV and STI prevention. Predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, resulting in 6 eligible apps. Each app was assessed using the 29-item Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS), scored on a 5-point Likert scale (1=inadequate, 5=excellent), and categorized as high (3), medium (2), or low (1) based on mean scores. Internal consistency was excellent (Cronbach α=0.90), and interrater reliability demonstrated near-perfect agreement (Cohen κ=0.862). Data analyses were performed using SPSS (version 27; IBM Corp).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All 6 apps were available in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, with 33.3% (2/6) from Google Play, 16.7% (1/6) from Apple, and 50% (3/6) from both platforms. MARS evaluation revealed high quality ratings for engagement (83.0%), functionality (88.9%), aesthetics (83.3%), and information quality (100%), as well as high subjective quality (83.3%) and app-specific quality (88.9%). Life4Me+ was the highest-rated app (4.6), while HIV-TEST received the lowest rating (3.4). Most apps (5/6, 83.3%) were only available in English, and 16.7% (1/6) supported multiple languages, which may limit accessibility for non-English-speaking migrant populations. In addition, 83.3% (5/6) were updated in 2024, 33.3% (2/6) were linked to nongovernmental organization, 16.7% (1/6) to a university, and 50% (3/6) had no clear affiliation. Regarding their focus, 50% (3/6) addressed STI prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, 16.7% (1/6) combined HIV and STI prevention, and 33.3% (2/6) provided pre-exposure prophylaxis-related resources.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These 6 apps stand out for their high functionality, engagement, and accessibility, establishing themselves as effective tools for HIV and STI prevention education among migrant populations. This study highlights the critical role of digital resources in addressing public health challenges faced by vulnerable and minority groups. Integrating these apps into health promotion strategies is essential to improve health literacy and encourage preventive behaviors. Moreover, ensuring the quality, credibility, linguistic diversity, and continuous updating of these digital interventions is cr
背景:加拿大、墨西哥和美国是西半球移民的主要中转目的地。移徙者在获得保健服务,包括艾滋病毒和艾滋病以及性传播感染预防方面面临障碍。移动应用程序可以增强这些人群的公共卫生服务。目的:本研究旨在系统地识别和评估加拿大、墨西哥和美国支持艾滋病和性传播感染预防的移动应用程序。方法:按照Fernández-Sánchez提出的严格的6步框架,于2024年6月18日对b谷歌Play和Apple应用商店中的357个移动应用程序进行环境扫描,以确保对应用程序进行系统和全面的评估。应用预先定义的纳入和排除标准,产生6个符合条件的应用。每个应用程序都使用29项移动应用程序评级量表(MARS)进行评估,以5分的李克特量表(1=不足,5=优秀)进行评分,并根据平均得分分为高(3),中(2)或低(1)。内部一致性极好(Cronbach α=0.90),内部信度几乎完全一致(Cohen κ=0.862)。数据分析使用SPSS (version 27; IBM Corp .)。结果:所有6款应用均可在加拿大、墨西哥和美国使用,其中33.3%(2/6)来自b谷歌Play, 16.7%(1/6)来自苹果,50%(3/6)来自两个平台。MARS评估显示,在用户粘性(83.0%)、功能(88.9%)、美学(83.3%)和信息质量(100%)方面,以及主观质量(83.3%)和应用程序特定质量(88.9%)方面,质量评分很高。Life4Me+是评分最高的应用程序(4.6分),而HIV-TEST的评分最低(3.4分)。大多数应用(5/ 6,83.3%)只支持英语,16.7%(1/6)支持多种语言,这可能限制了非英语移民人口的可访问性。此外,83.3%(5/6)在2024年更新,33.3%(2/6)与非政府组织有关,16.7%(1/6)与大学有关,50%(3/6)没有明确的隶属关系。50%(3/6)的学校侧重于性传播感染的预防、诊断和治疗,16.7%(1/6)的学校将艾滋病毒和性传播感染联合预防,33.3%(2/6)的学校提供接触前预防相关资源。结论:这6款应用程序因其高功能性、高参与度和可访问性而脱颖而出,成为流动人口预防艾滋病毒和性传播感染教育的有效工具。这项研究强调了数字资源在应对弱势群体和少数群体面临的公共卫生挑战方面的关键作用。将这些应用程序纳入健康促进战略对于提高健康素养和鼓励预防行为至关重要。此外,确保这些数字干预措施的质量、可信度、语言多样性和不断更新,对于实现对公共卫生的真正和持续影响至关重要。政策应促进明确的标准,保证可及性、透明度和准确性,从而促进在复杂的移徙情况下获得保健服务。
{"title":"Mobile Apps for HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention in Canada, Mexico, and the United States: Environmental Scan.","authors":"Higinio Fernández-Sánchez, Javier Salazar-Alberto, Jhan Carlos Manuel Fernández-Delgado, Annalynn Galvin, Michael J Mugavero, Carlos E Rodriguez-Diaz, Diane Santa Maria","doi":"10.2196/72009","DOIUrl":"10.2196/72009","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Canada, Mexico, and the United States are primary transit destinations for migrants in the Western Hemisphere. Migrants face barriers to accessing health services, including HIV and AIDS and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention. Mobile apps may enhance public health access for these populations.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aims to systematically identify and evaluate mobile apps supporting HIV and STI prevention in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An environmental scan of 357 mobile apps from the Google Play and Apple App stores was conducted on June 18, 2024, following the rigorous 6-step framework proposed by Fernández-Sánchez to ensure a systematic and comprehensive evaluation of apps for HIV and STI prevention. Predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, resulting in 6 eligible apps. Each app was assessed using the 29-item Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS), scored on a 5-point Likert scale (1=inadequate, 5=excellent), and categorized as high (3), medium (2), or low (1) based on mean scores. Internal consistency was excellent (Cronbach α=0.90), and interrater reliability demonstrated near-perfect agreement (Cohen κ=0.862). Data analyses were performed using SPSS (version 27; IBM Corp).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All 6 apps were available in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, with 33.3% (2/6) from Google Play, 16.7% (1/6) from Apple, and 50% (3/6) from both platforms. MARS evaluation revealed high quality ratings for engagement (83.0%), functionality (88.9%), aesthetics (83.3%), and information quality (100%), as well as high subjective quality (83.3%) and app-specific quality (88.9%). Life4Me+ was the highest-rated app (4.6), while HIV-TEST received the lowest rating (3.4). Most apps (5/6, 83.3%) were only available in English, and 16.7% (1/6) supported multiple languages, which may limit accessibility for non-English-speaking migrant populations. In addition, 83.3% (5/6) were updated in 2024, 33.3% (2/6) were linked to nongovernmental organization, 16.7% (1/6) to a university, and 50% (3/6) had no clear affiliation. Regarding their focus, 50% (3/6) addressed STI prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, 16.7% (1/6) combined HIV and STI prevention, and 33.3% (2/6) provided pre-exposure prophylaxis-related resources.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These 6 apps stand out for their high functionality, engagement, and accessibility, establishing themselves as effective tools for HIV and STI prevention education among migrant populations. This study highlights the critical role of digital resources in addressing public health challenges faced by vulnerable and minority groups. Integrating these apps into health promotion strategies is essential to improve health literacy and encourage preventive behaviors. Moreover, ensuring the quality, credibility, linguistic diversity, and continuous updating of these digital interventions is cr","PeriodicalId":14756,"journal":{"name":"JMIR mHealth and uHealth","volume":"13 ","pages":"e72009"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2025-11-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12617829/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145523711","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Chi-Hsien Chen, Feipei Lai, Yu-Lin Chen, Yue Leon Guo
Background: The health impact of summer heat on older adults is a growing public concern, yet the physiological responses, particularly changes in resting heart rate (RHR), and the role of personal heat adaptation behaviors remain underexplored. Wearable devices offer an opportunity to objectively monitor physiological responses and evaluate the effectiveness of adaptation strategies in real-world settings.
Objective: This study aimed to quantify the short-term association between summer temperatures and RHR in older adults and to examine how individual heat adaptation behaviors modify this relationship, with additional consideration of personal characteristics such as age, sex, BMI, and chronic disease status.
Methods: We conducted a panel study among 83 community-dwelling older adults (≥65 y) in Taipei City during the summer of 2021 (May to September). Participants wore Garmin smartwatches to continuously monitor heart rate. Daily RHR was defined as the lowest 30-minute average heart rate. In September, heat adaptation behaviors were assessed via structured telephone interviews. Ambient temperature and relative humidity were obtained from a nearby monitoring station. Linear mixed-effect models were used to estimate temperature-RHR associations, and interaction terms were included to examine behavioral modifications. Subgroup analyses were conducted to explore effect modification by individual characteristics such as age, sex, BMI, and chronic disease status.
Results: Each 1 °C increase in daily mean temperature over lag days 0-1 was associated with a 0.11 (95% CI 0.07-0.15; P<.001) beats/min increase in RHR. After mutual adjustment for behaviors, several heat adaptation strategies showed significant protective effects, including reducing physical activity (β=-.15, P=.001), drinking cold beverages (β=-.24, P<.001), increasing naps or sleep duration (β=-.28, P=.003), drinking additional water ≥500 mL (β=-.10, P=.02), using air conditioner (AC) before (β=-.15, P=.002) and during sleep (β=-.13, P=.007), and using electric fans during sleep (β=-.12, P=.01). Subgroup analyses revealed stronger effects for certain behaviors in vulnerable populations: reduced physical activity was particularly beneficial for those with higher BMI; AC use and cold beverage intake were more effective in people with diabetes; increased naps yielded the largest benefits in individuals with hypertension; and the use of AC or fans during sleep was especially protective for older adults and females.
Conclusions: Summer heat is associated with elevated RHR in older adults, but this effect can be mitigated through targeted heat adaptation behaviors. Smartwatch monitoring provides a feasible and informative approach for capturing physiological changes, supporting the development of personalized heat-health recommendations for aging populations in a warming climate.
{"title":"Effects of Heat Adaptation Behaviors on Resting Heart Rate Response to Summer Temperatures in Older Adults: Wearable Device Panel Study.","authors":"Chi-Hsien Chen, Feipei Lai, Yu-Lin Chen, Yue Leon Guo","doi":"10.2196/67721","DOIUrl":"10.2196/67721","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The health impact of summer heat on older adults is a growing public concern, yet the physiological responses, particularly changes in resting heart rate (RHR), and the role of personal heat adaptation behaviors remain underexplored. Wearable devices offer an opportunity to objectively monitor physiological responses and evaluate the effectiveness of adaptation strategies in real-world settings.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to quantify the short-term association between summer temperatures and RHR in older adults and to examine how individual heat adaptation behaviors modify this relationship, with additional consideration of personal characteristics such as age, sex, BMI, and chronic disease status.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a panel study among 83 community-dwelling older adults (≥65 y) in Taipei City during the summer of 2021 (May to September). Participants wore Garmin smartwatches to continuously monitor heart rate. Daily RHR was defined as the lowest 30-minute average heart rate. In September, heat adaptation behaviors were assessed via structured telephone interviews. Ambient temperature and relative humidity were obtained from a nearby monitoring station. Linear mixed-effect models were used to estimate temperature-RHR associations, and interaction terms were included to examine behavioral modifications. Subgroup analyses were conducted to explore effect modification by individual characteristics such as age, sex, BMI, and chronic disease status.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Each 1 °C increase in daily mean temperature over lag days 0-1 was associated with a 0.11 (95% CI 0.07-0.15; P<.001) beats/min increase in RHR. After mutual adjustment for behaviors, several heat adaptation strategies showed significant protective effects, including reducing physical activity (β=-.15, P=.001), drinking cold beverages (β=-.24, P<.001), increasing naps or sleep duration (β=-.28, P=.003), drinking additional water ≥500 mL (β=-.10, P=.02), using air conditioner (AC) before (β=-.15, P=.002) and during sleep (β=-.13, P=.007), and using electric fans during sleep (β=-.12, P=.01). Subgroup analyses revealed stronger effects for certain behaviors in vulnerable populations: reduced physical activity was particularly beneficial for those with higher BMI; AC use and cold beverage intake were more effective in people with diabetes; increased naps yielded the largest benefits in individuals with hypertension; and the use of AC or fans during sleep was especially protective for older adults and females.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Summer heat is associated with elevated RHR in older adults, but this effect can be mitigated through targeted heat adaptation behaviors. Smartwatch monitoring provides a feasible and informative approach for capturing physiological changes, supporting the development of personalized heat-health recommendations for aging populations in a warming climate.</p>","PeriodicalId":14756,"journal":{"name":"JMIR mHealth and uHealth","volume":"13 ","pages":"e67721"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2025-11-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12617830/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145523656","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ying-Shian Chen, Yi-Chen Hsu, Worachate Romalee, Ding-Han Wang, Jennifer Lai, Tsai-Wang Huang, Kuan Hsun Lin
Background: Augmented reality (AR) superimposes virtual objects onto a real-world environment, allowing users to interact in real time. As AR has become widely used, its integration into smartphones or tablets has enabled mobile augmented reality (MAR) experiences. AR has been adopted in many industries, and the literature has highlighted its applications in academic and clinical settings, particularly in enhancing visualization, communication, and learning.
Objective: This study investigated the potential of MAR as a mobile health tool to enhance shared decision-making (SDM) in thoracic surgery by increasing patient understanding and engagement during medical consultations.
Methods: A randomized crossover clinical trial was conducted at the Tri-Service General Hospital in Taiwan. Participants scheduled for thoracic surgery were enrolled and randomized in a crossover design. The MAR intervention incorporated patient-specific 3D anatomical models that were reconstructed from computed tomography imaging to facilitate understanding and support SDM. The impact of each counseling approach on SDM was evaluated using postintervention questionnaires.
Results: A total of 47 participants were enrolled in this study. After analyzing the data, we found that patients in the MAR group showed significantly higher scores compared to those in the traditional counseling group (P<.001) during the SDM process. Moreover, patients reported higher satisfaction levels and found the visual objects helpful for understanding tumor location and surgical procedures.
Conclusions: This study demonstrated that MAR counseling significantly enhanced patients' comprehension of thoracic conditions and increased their active engagement in the SDM process (P<.001). The integration of patient-specific 3D anatomical models into MAR technology provided an intuitive method for critical medical information. This digital approach not only enhanced personalization in medical communication but also reinforced patient education about their health care conditions. These findings suggest that MAR counseling represents a promising approach for promoting patient-centered care in thoracic surgery and has potential applications across various clinical domains.
{"title":"Effect of Mobile Augmented Reality Counseling on Improving Shared Decision-Making in Thoracic Surgery: Randomized Clinical Crossover Trial.","authors":"Ying-Shian Chen, Yi-Chen Hsu, Worachate Romalee, Ding-Han Wang, Jennifer Lai, Tsai-Wang Huang, Kuan Hsun Lin","doi":"10.2196/79632","DOIUrl":"10.2196/79632","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Augmented reality (AR) superimposes virtual objects onto a real-world environment, allowing users to interact in real time. As AR has become widely used, its integration into smartphones or tablets has enabled mobile augmented reality (MAR) experiences. AR has been adopted in many industries, and the literature has highlighted its applications in academic and clinical settings, particularly in enhancing visualization, communication, and learning.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study investigated the potential of MAR as a mobile health tool to enhance shared decision-making (SDM) in thoracic surgery by increasing patient understanding and engagement during medical consultations.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A randomized crossover clinical trial was conducted at the Tri-Service General Hospital in Taiwan. Participants scheduled for thoracic surgery were enrolled and randomized in a crossover design. The MAR intervention incorporated patient-specific 3D anatomical models that were reconstructed from computed tomography imaging to facilitate understanding and support SDM. The impact of each counseling approach on SDM was evaluated using postintervention questionnaires.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 47 participants were enrolled in this study. After analyzing the data, we found that patients in the MAR group showed significantly higher scores compared to those in the traditional counseling group (P<.001) during the SDM process. Moreover, patients reported higher satisfaction levels and found the visual objects helpful for understanding tumor location and surgical procedures.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study demonstrated that MAR counseling significantly enhanced patients' comprehension of thoracic conditions and increased their active engagement in the SDM process (P<.001). The integration of patient-specific 3D anatomical models into MAR technology provided an intuitive method for critical medical information. This digital approach not only enhanced personalization in medical communication but also reinforced patient education about their health care conditions. These findings suggest that MAR counseling represents a promising approach for promoting patient-centered care in thoracic surgery and has potential applications across various clinical domains.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07062393; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07062393.</p>","PeriodicalId":14756,"journal":{"name":"JMIR mHealth and uHealth","volume":" ","pages":"e79632"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2025-11-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12661226/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145258266","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Manjot Singh, Julian Herpertz, Noy Alon, Sarah Perret, John Torous, Daniel Kramer
<p><strong>Background: </strong>The rapidly expanding digital health landscape offers innovative opportunities for improving health care delivery and patient outcomes; however, regulatory and clinical frameworks for evaluating their key features, effectiveness, and outcomes are lacking. Cardiovascular and mental health apps represent 2 prominent categories within this space. While mental health apps have been extensively studied, limited research exists on the quality and effectiveness of cardiovascular care apps. Despite their potential, both categories of apps face criticism for a lack of clinical evidence, insufficient privacy safeguards, and underuse of smartphone-specific features alluding to larger shortcomings in the field.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study extends the use of the MINDApps framework to compare the quality of cardiovascular and mental health apps framework to compare the quality of cardiovascular and mental health apps with regard to data security, data collection, and evidence-based support to identify strengths, limitations, and broader shortcomings across these domains in the digital health landscape.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a systematic review of the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, querying for cardiovascular care apps. Apps were included if they were updated within the past 90 days, available in English, and did not require a health care provider's referral. Cardiovascular care apps were matched to mental health apps by platform compatibility and cost. Apps were evaluated using the M-Health Index & Navigation Database (MIND; MINDApps), a comprehensive tool based on the American Psychiatric Association's app evaluation model. The framework includes 105 objective questions across 6 categories of quality, including privacy, clinical foundation, and engagement. Statistical differences between the 2 groups were assessed using two-proportion Z-tests.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In total, 48 cardiovascular care apps and 48 matched mental health apps were analyzed. The majority of apps in both categories included a privacy policy; yet, the majority in both samples shared user data with third-party companies. Evidence for effectiveness was limited, with only 2 (4%) cardiovascular care apps and 5 (10%) mental health apps meeting this criterion. Cardiovascular care apps were significantly more likely to be used in external devices such as smartphone-based electrocardiograms and blood pressure monitors.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Both categories lack robust clinical foundations and face substantial privacy challenges. Cardiovascular apps have the potential to revolutionize patient monitoring; yet, their limited evidence base and privacy concerns highlight opportunities for improvement. Findings demonstrate the broader applicability of the MINDApps framework in evaluating apps across medical fields and stress the significant shortcomings in the app marketplace for cardiovascular an
{"title":"Smartphone Apps for Cardiovascular and Mental Health Care: Digital Cross-Sectional Analysis.","authors":"Manjot Singh, Julian Herpertz, Noy Alon, Sarah Perret, John Torous, Daniel Kramer","doi":"10.2196/63642","DOIUrl":"10.2196/63642","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The rapidly expanding digital health landscape offers innovative opportunities for improving health care delivery and patient outcomes; however, regulatory and clinical frameworks for evaluating their key features, effectiveness, and outcomes are lacking. Cardiovascular and mental health apps represent 2 prominent categories within this space. While mental health apps have been extensively studied, limited research exists on the quality and effectiveness of cardiovascular care apps. Despite their potential, both categories of apps face criticism for a lack of clinical evidence, insufficient privacy safeguards, and underuse of smartphone-specific features alluding to larger shortcomings in the field.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study extends the use of the MINDApps framework to compare the quality of cardiovascular and mental health apps framework to compare the quality of cardiovascular and mental health apps with regard to data security, data collection, and evidence-based support to identify strengths, limitations, and broader shortcomings across these domains in the digital health landscape.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a systematic review of the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, querying for cardiovascular care apps. Apps were included if they were updated within the past 90 days, available in English, and did not require a health care provider's referral. Cardiovascular care apps were matched to mental health apps by platform compatibility and cost. Apps were evaluated using the M-Health Index & Navigation Database (MIND; MINDApps), a comprehensive tool based on the American Psychiatric Association's app evaluation model. The framework includes 105 objective questions across 6 categories of quality, including privacy, clinical foundation, and engagement. Statistical differences between the 2 groups were assessed using two-proportion Z-tests.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In total, 48 cardiovascular care apps and 48 matched mental health apps were analyzed. The majority of apps in both categories included a privacy policy; yet, the majority in both samples shared user data with third-party companies. Evidence for effectiveness was limited, with only 2 (4%) cardiovascular care apps and 5 (10%) mental health apps meeting this criterion. Cardiovascular care apps were significantly more likely to be used in external devices such as smartphone-based electrocardiograms and blood pressure monitors.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Both categories lack robust clinical foundations and face substantial privacy challenges. Cardiovascular apps have the potential to revolutionize patient monitoring; yet, their limited evidence base and privacy concerns highlight opportunities for improvement. Findings demonstrate the broader applicability of the MINDApps framework in evaluating apps across medical fields and stress the significant shortcomings in the app marketplace for cardiovascular an","PeriodicalId":14756,"journal":{"name":"JMIR mHealth and uHealth","volume":"13 ","pages":"e63642"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2025-11-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12614660/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145512768","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Youho Myong, Seo Jung Yun, Kyudong Park, Byung-Mo Oh, Han Gil Seo
Background: Parkinson disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor and nonmotor symptoms that worsen over time, significantly impacting quality of life. While clinical evaluations such as the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) are standard for assessing disease severity, they offer somewhat limited temporal resolution and are susceptible to observer variability. Smartphone apps present a viable method for capturing detailed fluctuations in motor and vocal functions in real-world settings.
Objective: This study aimed to use a smartphone-based app to quantitatively evaluate the interaction effect between time and disease severity on motor and vocal symptoms in individuals with PD.
Methods: This was an exploratory, cross-sectional pilot study. Disease severity in persons with PD was assessed using the modified Hoehn & Yahr Scale, Voice Handicap Index, and UPDRS. We used a custom smartphone app to administer finger-tapping tasks, sustained phonation (/a/ and /i/), and rapid syllable repetition (/dadada/ and /pa-ta-ka/). The total tap counts, tap-to-tap variability, and vocal parameters (loudness, jitter, shimmer, repeat counts, and their variability) were analyzed. Each task was divided into 5 equal time frames to analyze performance changes over a short duration. Time-severity interactions were examined using linear mixed models.
Results: In total, 20 persons with PD and 20 healthy adults were included in this study. Persons with PD showed worse motor and vocal performance compared to healthy adults, with higher dysrhythmia; worse jitter, shimmer, and jitter and shimmer variability; and fewer repeat counts. During finger-tapping tasks, individuals with PD showed an earlier onset of dysrhythmia than their healthy counterparts. While a higher UPDRS part III score was associated with greater finger-tapping variability, there was no significant time-severity interaction for this motor task. However, linear mixed model analysis revealed significant time-severity interaction effects for vocal tasks, including /a/ loudness (P=.001), /a/ jitter (P=.01), /a/ shimmer (P=.001), /i/ loudness (P=.001), /i/ jitter (P<.001), /i/ shimmer (P<.001), and /pa-ta-ka/-variability (P=.04). This indicates that individuals with higher UPDRS part III scores experienced a more rapid decline in vocal control during the assessment period. All measured smartphone-based characteristics showed a significant correlation with UPDRS part III scores, with finger-tapping variability having the strongest correlation.
Conclusions: This study demonstrates that a smartphone-based assessment, conducted over just a few minutes, can detect subtle temporal changes in fine motor and vocal control. The app successfully captured the earlier onset of dysrhythmia in individuals with PD and, importantly, identified significant time-severity
{"title":"Dynamic Assessment of Fine Motor Control and Vocalization in Parkinson Disease Through a Smartphone App: Cross-Sectional Study of Time-Severity Interaction Effects.","authors":"Youho Myong, Seo Jung Yun, Kyudong Park, Byung-Mo Oh, Han Gil Seo","doi":"10.2196/69028","DOIUrl":"10.2196/69028","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Parkinson disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor and nonmotor symptoms that worsen over time, significantly impacting quality of life. While clinical evaluations such as the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) are standard for assessing disease severity, they offer somewhat limited temporal resolution and are susceptible to observer variability. Smartphone apps present a viable method for capturing detailed fluctuations in motor and vocal functions in real-world settings.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to use a smartphone-based app to quantitatively evaluate the interaction effect between time and disease severity on motor and vocal symptoms in individuals with PD.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This was an exploratory, cross-sectional pilot study. Disease severity in persons with PD was assessed using the modified Hoehn & Yahr Scale, Voice Handicap Index, and UPDRS. We used a custom smartphone app to administer finger-tapping tasks, sustained phonation (/a/ and /i/), and rapid syllable repetition (/dadada/ and /pa-ta-ka/). The total tap counts, tap-to-tap variability, and vocal parameters (loudness, jitter, shimmer, repeat counts, and their variability) were analyzed. Each task was divided into 5 equal time frames to analyze performance changes over a short duration. Time-severity interactions were examined using linear mixed models.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In total, 20 persons with PD and 20 healthy adults were included in this study. Persons with PD showed worse motor and vocal performance compared to healthy adults, with higher dysrhythmia; worse jitter, shimmer, and jitter and shimmer variability; and fewer repeat counts. During finger-tapping tasks, individuals with PD showed an earlier onset of dysrhythmia than their healthy counterparts. While a higher UPDRS part III score was associated with greater finger-tapping variability, there was no significant time-severity interaction for this motor task. However, linear mixed model analysis revealed significant time-severity interaction effects for vocal tasks, including /a/ loudness (P=.001), /a/ jitter (P=.01), /a/ shimmer (P=.001), /i/ loudness (P=.001), /i/ jitter (P<.001), /i/ shimmer (P<.001), and /pa-ta-ka/-variability (P=.04). This indicates that individuals with higher UPDRS part III scores experienced a more rapid decline in vocal control during the assessment period. All measured smartphone-based characteristics showed a significant correlation with UPDRS part III scores, with finger-tapping variability having the strongest correlation.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study demonstrates that a smartphone-based assessment, conducted over just a few minutes, can detect subtle temporal changes in fine motor and vocal control. The app successfully captured the earlier onset of dysrhythmia in individuals with PD and, importantly, identified significant time-severity ","PeriodicalId":14756,"journal":{"name":"JMIR mHealth and uHealth","volume":"13 ","pages":"e69028"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2025-11-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12614394/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145512790","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}