Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39877406›Full record

ArticleHealth psychology and behavioral medicine2025

Evaluating mobile apps for sun protection: content analysis and user preferences in a two-part study.

Angela M Rodrigues, Faye L Doughty, Caroline Charlton, Sarah Woodhouse, Elizabeth Sillence

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Health psychology and behavioral medicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

5 authors.

Angela M RodriguesDepartment of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Faye L DoughtyDepartment of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Caroline CharltonDepartment of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Sarah WoodhouseDepartment of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Elizabeth SillenceDepartment of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Sunburn and intermittent sun exposure elevate melanoma skin cancer risk. Sun protection behaviours, including limiting sun exposure, seeking shade, wearing protective gear, and using sunscreen, help mitigate excessive sun exposure. Smartphone apps present a promising platform to enhance these behaviours. Objective: Part 1 aimed to analyse and evaluate the content of mobile apps that encourage sun protection behaviours, focusing on features, and behaviour change techniques (BCTs). Part 2 explored user preferences and usability post-initial use and two weeks later. Results: Part 1 identified 1294 apps; after applying exclusion criteria, 87 apps were downloaded, with 48 included for analysis. The apps presented opportunities for enhancement in their theoretical and evidence basis, and visualisations use (e.g. UV-index). The apps mapped across a total of 12 BCTs ( Conclusions: Sun protection apps emphasizing knowledge, ease of use, tailored advice, and proactive features are likely to encourage sustained engagement. Suggestions for optimising current and future sun protection apps are provided.

Indexed as

Behaviour change techniquedigital healthmobile phone applicationskin cancer preventionsun protection

Identifiers

PMID39877406
PMCPMC11774169

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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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.