Evidence map›Paper›PMID 31710298›Full record

SynthesisJMIR mHealth and uHealth2019

Evaluation of Heart Failure Apps to Promote Self-Care: Systematic App Search.

Sahr Wali, Catherine Demers, Hiba Shah, Huda Wali, Delphine Lim, Nirav Naik, Ahmad Ghany, Ayushi Vispute, Maya Wali, Karim Keshavjee

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 23 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
23citing papers in PubMed, 3 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

23 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Pooled it
  3. Pooled it
  4. Trial
  5. Trial
  6. Article
  7. Article
  8. Article
  9. Article
  10. Article
  11. Article
  12. Article
  13. Article
  14. Article
  15. Article
  16. Review
  17. Article
  18. Article
  19. Article
  20. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Sahr WaliCentre for Global eHealth Innovation, Techna Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.ORCID 0000-0003-1928-531X
Catherine DemersDepartment of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.ORCID 0000-0001-5664-345X
Hiba ShahDepartment of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.ORCID 0000-0003-3415-6620
Huda WaliSchool of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, Kitchener, ON, Canada.ORCID 0000-0002-9883-6513
Delphine LimDepartment of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.ORCID 0000-0002-7947-7121
Nirav NaikDepartment of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.ORCID 0000-0001-7811-4524
Ahmad GhanyDepartment of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.ORCID 0000-0002-7228-9611
Ayushi VisputeCentennial College, Toronto, ON, Canada.ORCID 0000-0002-2700-877X
Maya WaliDepartment of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.ORCID 0000-0002-6294-6403
Karim KeshavjeeInstitute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.ORCID 0000-0003-1317-7035

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHeart failure (HF) is a chronic disease that affects over 1% of Canadians and at least 26 million people worldwide. With the continued rise in disease prevalence and an aging population, HF-related costs are expected to create a significant economic burden. Many mobile health (mHealth) apps have been developed to help support patients' self-care in the home setting, but it is unclear if they are suited to the needs or capabilities of older adults.

objectiveThis study aimed to identify HF apps and evaluate whether they met the criteria for optimal HF self-care.

methodsWe conducted a systematic search of all apps available exclusively for HF self-care across Google Play and the App Store. We then evaluated the apps according to a list of 25 major functions pivotal to promoting HF self-care for older adults.

resultsA total of 74 apps for HF self-care were identified, but only 21 apps were listed as being both HF and self-care specific. None of the apps had all 25 of the listed features for an adequate HF self-care app, and only 41% (31/74) apps had the key weight management feature present. HF Storylines received the highest functionality score (18/25, 72%).

conclusionsOur findings suggest that currently available apps are not adequate for use by older adults with HF. This highlights the need for mHealth apps to refine their development process so that user needs and capabilities are identified during the design stage to ensure the usability of the app.

Indexed as

Heart FailureHumansMobile ApplicationsSelf Careheart failuremHealthmobile phoneself-care

Identifiers

PMID31710298
PMCPMC6878098

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.