Smartphone Apps Targeting Alcohol and Illicit Substance Use: Systematic Search in  in Commercial App Stores and Critical Content Analysis (Preprint)

Tofighi, Babak; Chemi, Chemi; Ruiz-Valcarcel, Jose; Hein, Paul N.; Hu, Lu

doi:10.2196/preprints.11831

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Social networking can take the form of a community where users have the possibility to create a public or anonymous profile and communicate with each other. As an example, the Sober Grid app allows people affected by a substance use disorder to post personal content related to remission and to meet others who are striving for sobriety (Tofighi, Chemi, Ruiz-Valcarcel, Hein, & Hu, 2019). Other aspects of socialization may be less desirable in the context of mental health apps, such as those that encourage comparison and competition among users (Cheng et al, 2018;Deady et al, 2017).…”

Section: Gamificationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mobile applications for individuals affected by a traumatic event: A systematic review of qualitative findings

Corthésy-Blondin,

Lemyre,

Poitras

et al. 2023

CrimRxiv

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Access to effective interventions aimed at reducing the mental health consequences of exposure to traumatic events is hampered by barriers to treatment. Mobile applications (apps) are one way to overcome these barriers.However, the effectiveness of apps in reducing posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) is limited, which could be explained by low user engagement. A better understanding of the needs and preferences of individuals with PTSS could help in developing apps that are more engaging and possibly more effective. This review aims to synthesize qualitative findings from studies examining the subjective experiences of individuals who use apps for PTSS. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed and PsycINFO. Empirical studies that report qualitative data and focus on one or more apps designed for the self-assessment or the self-management of PTSS were included. Sixteen articles focusing on 14 apps met the inclusion criteria. Participants reported barriers (e.g., lack of perceived benefits), facilitators (e.g., ease of use), benefits (e.g., improved mental health), and adverse effects (e.g., increased symptoms) related to the use of the apps. They also made suggestions aimed at improving user experience, such as increasing customization. In conclusion, developing apps with a user-centered approach, promoting social support through the use of the apps, and including gamification elements might increase user engagement with apps for PTSS. Further research should test if that is the case.

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Section: Gamificationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mobile applications for individuals affected by a traumatic event: A systematic review of qualitative findings

Corthésy-Blondin,

Lemyre,

Poitras

et al. 2023

CrimRxiv

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Social networking can take the form of a community where users have the possibility to create a public or anonymous profile and communicate with each other. As an example, the Sober Grid app allows people affected by a substance use disorder to post personal content related to remission and to meet others who are striving for sobriety (Tofighi et al, 2019). Other aspects of socialization may be less desirable in the context of mental health apps, such as those that encourage comparison and competition among users (Cheng et al, 2019;Deady et al, 2017).…”

Section: Gamificationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mobile applications for individuals affected by a traumatic event: A systematic review of qualitative findings.

Corthésy-Blondin,

Lemyre,

Poitras

et al. 2023

Technology, Mind, and Behavior

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Access to effective interventions aimed at reducing the mental health consequences of exposure to traumatic events is hampered by barriers to treatment. Mobile applications (apps) are one way to overcome these barriers. However, the effectiveness of apps in reducing posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) is limited, which could be explained by low user engagement. A better understanding of the needs and preferences of individuals with PTSS could help in developing apps that are more engaging and possibly more effective. This review aims to synthesize qualitative findings from studies examining the subjective experiences of individuals who use apps for PTSS. A systematic search was conducted in Pubmed and APA PsycInfo. Empirical studies that report qualitative data and focus on one or more apps designed for the self-assessment or the self-management of PTSS were included. Sixteen articles focusing on 14 apps met the inclusion criteria. Participants reported barriers (e.g., lack of perceived benefits), facilitators (e.g., ease of use), benefits (e.g., improved mental health), and adverse effects (e.g., increased symptoms) related to the use of the apps. They also made suggestions aimed at improving user experience, such as increasing customization. In conclusion, developing apps with a user-centered approach, promoting social support through the use of the apps, and including gamification elements might increase user engagement with apps for PTSS. Further research should test if that is the case.

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“…10 The literature documents the use of mobile applications for alcohol and tobacco therapy, and research suggests these applications may promote successful quit attempts among e-cigarette users or vapers. [11][12][13] Available applications focus on habit tracking, therapy, or education. Given the role of this technology in disseminating cannabis-related news and information, the present study aimed to examine the quality of cannabis cessation apps, their content and features, popularity among users, and adherence to evidence-based practices.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Smartphone Apps for Cannabis Cessation: Quality Assessment and Content Analysis

Seth,

Kushwaha,

Prashad

et al. 2023

Preprint

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BackgroundThe rising rates of cannabis use, cannabis-related problems, and hospitalization rates related to cannabis usage warrant further research into better treatment methods and interventions.PurposeThis study aims to identify the quality of free cannabis cessation applications available on both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store and analyse their features, content, and adherence to evidence-based practices.MethodsA systematic search was conducted in April 2023 using a variety of keywords. The applications were deemed eligible if they were free, in English, available on both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store and were related to cannabis cessation. Each application was used for at least one month and were rated on the Mobile App Rating Scale by two users. There was excellent agreement determined between the two reviewers (≤2 points on all categories).ResultsA total of 4 applications were included in the overall quality and content analysis. The mean total quality scores of applications were determined to be 3.36 out of 5 indicating a poor to acceptable quality of applications. It was determined that there was a very limited number of available applications for users and those that were available were not of high quality with few applications incorporating evidence-based practices.ConclusionsThere are a very limited number of cannabis cessation applications available, and the currently available products have poor to acceptable quality.

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Smartphone Apps Targeting Alcohol and Illicit Substance Use: Systematic Search in in Commercial App Stores and Critical Content Analysis (Preprint)

Abstract: Background: Smartphone applications promise to enhance the reach of evidence-based

Cited by 4 publications

References 22 publications

Mobile applications for individuals affected by a traumatic event: A systematic review of qualitative findings

Mobile applications for individuals affected by a traumatic event: A systematic review of qualitative findings

Mobile applications for individuals affected by a traumatic event: A systematic review of qualitative findings.

Smartphone Apps for Cannabis Cessation: Quality Assessment and Content Analysis

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