Abstract

Background

Although a growing body of literature highlights the potential benefit of smartphone-based mobile apps to aid in self-management and treatment of bipolar disorder, it is unclear whether such evidence-based apps are readily available and accessible to a user of the app store.

Results

Using our systematic framework for the evaluation of mental health apps, we analyzed the accessibility, privacy, clinical foundation, features, and interoperability of the top-returned 100 apps for bipolar disorder. Only 56% of the apps mentioned bipolar disorder specifically in their title, description, or content. Only one app’s efficacy was supported in a peer-reviewed study, and 32 apps lacked privacy policies. The most common features provided were mood tracking, journaling, and psychoeducation.

Conclusions

Our analysis reveals substantial limitations in the current digital environment for individuals seeking an evidence-based, clinically usable app for bipolar disorder. Although there have been academic advances in development of digital interventions for bipolar disorder, this work has yet to be translated to the publicly available app marketplace. This unmet need of digital mood management underscores the need for a comprehensive evaluation system of mental health apps, which we have endeavored to provide through our framework and accompanying database (apps.digitalpsych.org).

Details

Title
Digital health developments and drawbacks: a review and analysis of top-returned apps for bipolar disorder
Author
Lagan, Sarah 1 ; Ramakrishnan Abinaya 2 ; Lamont, Evan 3 ; Ramakrishnan Aparna 4 ; Frye, Mark 5 ; Torous, John 6 

 Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, Boston, USA 
 Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, Boston, USA; Vanderbilt University, Nashville, USA (GRID:grid.152326.1) (ISNI:0000 0001 2264 7217) 
 Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, Boston, USA (GRID:grid.152326.1); Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis, Boston, USA (GRID:grid.465567.3) (ISNI:0000 0004 0535 7762) 
 Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, Boston, USA (GRID:grid.465567.3) 
 Mayo Clinic, Rochester, USA (GRID:grid.66875.3a) (ISNI:0000 0004 0459 167X) 
 Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, Boston, USA (GRID:grid.66875.3a) 
Publication year
2020
Publication date
Dec 2020
Publisher
Springer Nature B.V.
e-ISSN
21947511
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2473355530
Copyright
© The Author(s) 2020. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.