ArticleJMIR mHealth and uHealth2021
Behavior Change Techniques in Popular Mobile Apps for Smoking Cessation in France: Content Analysis.
Article in JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 13 papers.
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Who cites it
13 citing papers in PubMed.
- Development and efficacy testing of an artificial intelligence enabled treatment package (eDOSTHI) for tobacco cessation: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.BMC psychiatry · 2026Trial
- Application of Behavior Change Techniques and Rated Quality of Smoking Cessation Apps in China: Content Analysis.JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 2025Article
- Feasibility and Engagement of a Mobile App Preparation Program (Kwit) for Smoking Cessation in an Ecological Context: Quantitative Study.JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 2024Article
- Quality Assessment of Smartphone Medication Management Apps in France: Systematic Search.JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 2024Article
- Don't judge a book or health app by its cover: User ratings and downloads are not linked to quality.PloS one · 2024Article
- Use of the Smoking Cessation App Ex-Smokers iCoach and Associations With Smoking-Related Outcomes Over Time in a Large Sample of European Smokers: Retrospective Observational Study.Journal of medical Internet research · 2023Observational
- Smartphone Apps for Smoking Cessation: Systematic Framework for App Review and Analysis.Journal of medical Internet research · 2023Review
- Evaluation of an innovative mHealth-based integrated modality for smoking cessation in Chinese smokers: protocol for a randomized controlled trial.BMC public health · 2023Article
- Mobile applications (apps) for tobacco cessation: Behaviour change potential and heuristic analysis using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS).F1000Research · 2023Review
- The Quality of Indian Obesity-Related mHealth Apps: PRECEDE-PROCEED Model-Based Content Analysis.JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 2022Article
- Global Scientific Research Landscape on Medical Informatics From 2011 to 2020: Bibliometric Analysis.JMIR medical informatics · 2022Article
- Theory-Based Social and Non-Social Engagement Features in Smoking Cessation Mobile Apps: A Content Analysis.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2021Article
- Article
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
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No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe mobile app market differs from country to country, and to date, no previous review of the content quality of smoking cessation apps has been conducted in France.
objectiveThis study aimed to examine the general quality of the most popular smoking cessation apps in France and also determine the degree to which apps adhere to established behavioral and cognitive techniques (BCTs) proven effective in clinical practice.
methodsA systematic research of smoking cessation apps was conducted in both the Google Play Store and Apple Store in the French market. The general quality of popular apps was rated with the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS), and the therapeutic quality was assessed with the ratio of adherence of the behavior change technique taxonomy for smoking cessation treatment.
resultsA total of 14 mobile apps met all the inclusion criteria of the content analysis. The interrater reliability varied from "substantial" (0.79) to "almost perfect" (0.9) for the two measures. The mean MARS score was 3.5 out of 5 (median 3.6, IQR 0.6 [3.2-3.8]). The findings suggest that popular apps focus primarily on the functionality dimension of the MARS scale (4.2/5). The mean number of BCTs was 22, with a large difference between apps (minimum 4, maximum 38). At least half of the apps addressed motivation (8.8/14, 63%) and advised on using behavioral skills in order to quit smoking or stay a nonsmoker (8.7/14, 62%). However, only a handful of apps gathered important information (5.9/14, 42%) in order to deliver proper advice regarding the use of approved medication or the implementation of behavioral techniques (4.3/14, 31%). The mean MARS score was positively correlated with the price (r=0.70, P=.007) and the number of BCTs used (r=0.67, P=.01). User rating was not correlated with any quality scale (P=.67).
conclusionsThe content quality of popular smoking cessation apps in France varied by app type and price. Most popular apps propose in general good quality content but lack implementation of evidence-based BCTs associated with effectiveness on smoking cessation treatment. Further research is needed to evaluate the improvement in the content quality of smoking cessation apps in France.
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