Background Pharmacotherapy remains one of the major interventional strategies in medicine. However, patients from all age groups and conditions face challenges when taking medications, such as integrating them into the daily routine, understanding their effects and side effects, and monitoring outcomes. In this context, a reliable medication management tool adaptable to the patient's needs becomes critical. As most people have a mobile phone, mobile apps offer a platform for such a personalized support tool available on the go. Objective This study aimed to provide an overview of available mobile apps, focusing on those that help patients understand and take their medications. We reviewed the existing apps and provided suggestions for future development based on the concept understand and manage, instead of the conventional adhere to medication. This concept aims to engage and empower patients to be in charge of their health, as well as see medication as part of a broader clinical approach, working simultaneously with other types of interventions or lifestyle changes, to achieve optimal outcomes. Methods We performed a Web search in the iOS Apple App Store and Android Google Play Store, using 4 search terms: medication management, pill reminder, medication health monitor, and medication helper. We extracted information from the app store descriptions for each eligible app and categorized into the following characteristics: features, author affiliation, specialty, user interface, cost, and user rating. In addition, we conducted Google searches to obtain more information about the author affiliation. Results A total of 328 apps (175 Android and 153 iOS) were categorized. The majority of the apps were developed by the software industry (73%, 11/15), a minority of them were codeveloped by health care professionals (15%, 3/20) or academia (2.1%; 7/328). The most prevalent specialty was diabetes (23 apps). Only 7 apps focused on mental health, but their content was highly comprehensive in terms of features and had the highest prevalence of the education component. The most prevalent features were reminder, symptom tracker, and ability to share data with a family member or doctor. In addition, we highlighted the features considered innovative and listed practical suggestions for future development and innovations. Conclusions We identified detailed characteristics of the existing apps, with the aim of informing future app development. Ultimately, the goal was to provide users with effective mobile health solutions, which can be expected to improve their engagement in the treatment process and long-term well-being. This study also highlighted the need for improved standards for reporting on app stores. Furthermore, it underlined the need for a platform to offer health app users an ongoing evaluation of apps by health professionals in addition to other users and to provide them with tools to easily select an appropriate and trustworthy app.

/pdf/mobile-apps-for-medication-management-review-and-analysis-1rt56k7t5s.pdf

Mobile Apps for Medication Management: Review and Analysis.

The proliferation of smartphones has led to an increase in mobile health (mHealth) apps over the years. Thus, it is imperative to evaluate these apps by identifying shortcomings or barriers hampering effective delivery of intended services. In this paper, we evaluate 104 mental health apps on Google Play and App Store by performing sentiment analysis of 88125 user reviews using machine learning (ML), and then conducting thematic analysis on the reviews. We implement and compare the performance of five classifiers using supervised ML algorithms that are widely used for solving classification problems. The best performing classifier, with F1-score of 89.42%, was then used in predicting the sentiment polarity of reviews. Next, we conduct a thematic analysis of positive and negative reviews to identify themes representing various factors affecting the effectiveness of mental health apps positively and negatively. Our results uncover 21 negative themes and 29 positive themes. The negative themes fall under the following categories: usability issues, content issues, ethical issues, customer support issues, and billing issues. Some of the positive themes include aesthetically pleasing interface, app stability, customizability, high-quality content, content variation/diversity, personalized content, privacy and security, and low-subscription cost. Finally, we offer design recommendations on how the identified negative factors can be tackled to improve the effectiveness of mental health apps.

/pdf/using-machine-learning-and-thematic-analysis-methods-to-2jt1wsv44m.pdf

Using Machine Learning and Thematic Analysis Methods to Evaluate Mental Health Apps Based on User Reviews

Patient ergonomics: 10-year mapping review of patient-centered human factors.

This co-creation study aimed to develop a smartphone self-test application for balance and leg strength in collaboration between older adults and the research team. The paper describes older partic ...

https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/11/3768/pdf

Co-Creation with Older Adults to Improve User-Experience of a Smartphone Self-Test Application to Assess Balance Function

Influencing Factors of Acceptance and Use Behavior of Mobile Health Application Users: Systematic Review.

With smartphone use among older populations on the rise, older adults have increased access to health-focused mobile apps. Despite their potential benefits for managing health, currently no guideli...

Mobile Health Apps: Improving Usability for Older Adult Users:

For older adults, managing medications can be a burden and could lead to medication non-adherence. To decrease risks associated with medication non-adherence, healthcare providers may recommend medication reminder apps as an assistive tool. However, these apps are often not designed with consideration of older adults' needs, capabilities, and limitations. To identify whether available apps are suitable for older adults, we conducted an in-depth cognitive walkthrough and a heuristic evaluation of the most commonly downloaded medication reminder app. Findings revealed three main issues: 1) difficulty in navigation, 2) poor visibility, and 3) a lack of transparency. We also selected the top five downloaded medication reminder apps and categorized user reviews to assess app functionality and usability problems. The results of our analysis provide guidance for app design for older adult users to provide effective tools for managing medications and supporting patient/user health.

/pdf/medication-management-apps-usable-by-older-adults-57q45aw8ni.pdf

Medication Management Apps: Usable by Older Adults?

OBJECTIVES
Prior research has documented age differences in risky decisions and indicates that they are susceptible to gain versus loss framing. However, previous studies focused on 'decisions from description' that explicitly spell out the probabilities involved. The present study expands this literature by examining the effects of framing on age differences in the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART), a widely used and ecologically valid measure of experience-based risky decision-making that involves pumping a virtual balloon.


METHOD
In a pre-registered study, younger (aged 18-30, n =129) and older adults (aged 60 and over, n=125) were randomly assigned to either a gain version of the BART, where pumping the balloon added monetary gains, or a loss version, where pumping the balloon avoided monetary losses.


RESULTS
We found a significant age by frame interaction on risk-taking: in the loss frame, older adults pumped more frequently and experienced more popped balloons than younger adults, whereas in the gain frame no significant age differences were found. Total performance on the BART did not vary by age or frame. Supplementary analyses indicated that age differences in pumping rates were most pronounced at the beginning of the BART and leveled off in subsequent trials. Controlling for age differences in motivation, personality, and cognition did not account for age differences in risk-taking.


DISCUSSION
In combination, findings suggest that age differences in risk-taking on the BART are more pronounced when the task context emphasizes avoiding losses rather than achieving gains.

Amy W. Chong

Papers

Mobile Health Apps: Improving Usability for Older Adult Users:

Medication Management Apps: Usable by Older Adults?

Age and Framing Effects in the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART).

Risky Decision Making for Medications: Age and Social Influence Effects.