Mobile Phone Apps for Smoking Cessation: Quality and Usability Among Smokers With Psychosis Mobile Application to Promote Adherence to Oral Chemotherapy and Symptom Management: A Protocol for Design and Development Multimodal treatment in children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a 6-month follow-up An mHealth App for Supporting Quitters to Manage Cigarette Cravings With Short Bouts of Physical Activity: A Randomized Pilot Feasibility and Acceptability Study Breast, Prostate, and Colorectal Cancer Survivors’ Experiences of Using Publicly Available Physical Activity Mobile Apps: Qualitative Study Cognitive-behavioral depression treatment for mothers of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Methods for Evaluating the Content, Usability, and Efficacy of Commercial Mobile Health Apps Parental Knowledge of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Opinions of Treatment Options: Impact on Enrolment and Adherence to a 12-Month Treatment Trial
Background Smoking is one of the top preventable causes of mortality in people with psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia .  Cessation treatment improves abstinence outcomes , but access is a barrier . Mobile phone apps are one way to increase access to cessation treatment ; however , whether they are usable by people with psychotic disorders , who often have special learning needs , is not known . Objective Research ers review ed 100 r and omly selected apps for smoking cessation to rate them based on US guidelines for nicotine addiction treatment and to categorize them based on app functions . We aim ed to test the usability and usefulness of the top-rated apps in 21 smokers with psychotic disorders . Methods We identified 766 smoking cessation apps and r and omly selected 100 for review . Two independent review ers rated each app with the Adherence Index to US Clinical Practice Guideline for Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence . Then , smokers with psychotic disorders evaluated the top 9 apps within a usability testing protocol . We analyzed quantitative results using descriptive statistics and t tests . Qualitative data were open-coded and analyzed for themes . Results Regarding adherence to practice guidelines , most of the r and omly sample d smoking cessation apps scored poorly—66 % rated lower than 10 out of 100 on the Adherence Index ( Mean 11.47 , SD 11.8 ) . Regarding usability , three common usability problems emerged : text-dense content , abstract symbols on the homepage , and subtle directions to edit features . Conclusions In order for apps to be effective and usable for this population , developers should utilize a balance of text and simple design that facilitate ease of navigation and content comprehension that will help people learn quit smoking skills Background Oral chemotherapy is increasingly used in place of traditional intravenous chemotherapy to treat patients with cancer . While oral chemotherapy includes benefits such as ease of administration , convenience , and minimization of invasive infusions , patients receive less oversight , support , and symptom monitoring from clinicians . Additionally , adherence is a well-documented challenge for patients with cancer prescribed oral chemotherapy regimens . With the ever-growing presence of smartphones and potential for efficacious behavioral intervention technology , we created a mobile health intervention for medication and symptom management . Objective The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate the usability and acceptability of a smartphone app  to support adherence to oral chemotherapy and symptom management in patients with cancer . Methods We used a 5-step development model to create a comprehensive mobile app with theoretically informed content . The research and technical development team worked together to develop and iteratively test the app . In addition to the research team , key stakeholders including patients and family members , oncology clinicians , health care representatives , and practice administrators contributed to the content refinement of the intervention . Patient and family members also participated in alpha and beta testing of the final prototype to assess usability and acceptability before we began the r and omized controlled trial . Results We incorporated app components based on the stakeholder feedback we received in focus groups and alpha and beta testing . App components included  medication reminders , self-reporting of medication adherence and symptoms , an education library including nutritional information , Fitbit integration , social networking re sources , and individually tailored symptom management feedback .  We are conducting a r and omized controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of the app in improving adherence to oral chemotherapy , quality of life , and burden of symptoms and side effects . At every stage in this trial , we are engaging stakeholders to solicit feedback on our progress and next steps . Conclusions To our knowledge , we are the first to describe the development of an app design ed for people taking oral chemotherapy . The app addresses many concerns with oral chemotherapy , such as medication adherence and symptom management . Soliciting feedback from stakeholders with broad perspectives and expertise ensured that the app was acceptable and potentially beneficial for patients , caregivers , and clinicians . In our development process , we instantiated 7 of the 8 best practice s proposed in a recent review of mobile health app development . Our process demonstrated the importance of effective communication between research groups and technical teams , as well as meticulous planning of technical specifications before development begins . Future efforts should consider incorporating other proven strategies in software , such as gamification , to bolster the impact of mobile health apps . Forthcoming results from our r and omized controlled trial will provide key data on the effectiveness of this app in improving medication adherence and symptom management . Trial Registration Clinical Trials.gov NCT02157519 ; https:// clinical trials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02157519 ( Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6prj3xfKA Abstract Background : Different treatment approaches aim ed at reducing attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) core symptoms are available . However , factors such as intolerance , side-effects , lack of efficacy , high new technology costs , and placebo effect have spurred on an increasing interest in alternative or complementary treatment . Aim : The aim of this study is to explore efficacy of multimodal treatment consisting of st and ard stimulant medication ( methylpheni date ) and neurofeedback ( NF ) in combination , and to compare it with the single treatment in 6-month follow-up in ADHD children and adolescents . Methods : This r and omized controlled trial with 6-month follow-up comprised three treatment arms : multimodal treatment ( NF + MED ) , MED alone , and NF alone .  A total of 130 ADHD children/adolescents participated , and 62 % completed the study .  ADHD core symptoms were recorded pre-/post-treatment , using parents ’ and teachers ’ forms taken from Barkley ’s Defiant Children : A Clinician ’s Manual for Assessment and Parent Training , and a self-report question naire . Results : Significant ADHD core symptom improvements were reported 6 months after treatment completion by parents , teachers , and participants in all three groups , with marked improvement in inattention in all groups . However , no significant improvements in hyperactivity or academic performance were reported by teachers or self-reported by children/adolescents , respectively , in the three groups . Changes obtained with multimodal treatment at 6-month follow-up were comparable to those with single medication treatment , as reported by all participants . Conclusions : Multimodal treatment using combined stimulant medication and NF showed 6-month efficacy in ADHD treatment . More research is needed to explore whether multimodal treatment is suitable for ADHD children and adolescents who showed a poor response to single medication treatment , and for those who want to reduce the use of stimulant medication Background While gains in reducing smoking rates in Finl and have been made , prevalence rates are still substantial . Relapse rates among smokers engaged in quit-smoking programs are high . Physical activity has been proposed as one means to help smokers manage cravings . Software and apps on mobile phone and h and held devices offer an opportunity to communicate messages on how to use physical activity to manage cravings as part of quit-smoking programs . Objective We aim ed to test the feasibility , acceptability , usability , and preliminary efficacy of an mHealth mobile phone app , Physical activity over Smoking ( PhoS ) , to assist smokers in quitting smoking in a r and omized controlled trial . The app was design ed to prompt smokers to engage in physical activities to manage their smoking cravings . Methods Regular smokers ( n=44 ) attended a group-based behavioral counselling program aim ed at promoting physical activity as an additional aid to quit . After quit day , participants were r and omly allocated to an intervention ( n=25 ) or to a comparison ( n=19 ) group . Participants in the intervention group were provided with the PhoS app and training on how to use it to assist with relapse prevention . Participants in the comparison condition were provided with generalized relapse prevention training . Results Some participants reported that the PhoS app was useful in assisting them to successfully manage their cigarette cravings , although compliance across the sample was modest and participants reported low levels of usability . Participants receiving the PhoS app did not report greater abstinence than those who did not receive the app . However , participants receiving the app were more likely to report greater abstinence if they did not use pharmacological support , while those who did not receive the app reported greater abstinence when using pharmacological support . Participants receiving the app reported greater levels of physical activity than those who did not . Results revealed that the app result ed in better retention . Conclusions The PhoS app showed some potential to reduce abstinence among participants not using pharmacological therapy and to increase physical activity . However , problems with usability and lack of effects on abstinence raise questions over the app ’s long-term effectiveness . Future research should prioritize further development of the app to maximize usability and test effects of the intervention independent of quit-smoking programs . Trial Registration International St and ard R and omized Controlled Trial Number ( IS RCT N ) : 55259451 ; http://www.controlled-trials.com/IS RCT N55259451 ( Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6cKF2mzEI Background Physical activity ( PA ) can improve a range of outcomes following a cancer diagnosis . These include an improvement in experience of side effects of treatment ( eg , fatigue ) and management of comorbid conditions .  PA might also increase survival and reduce recurrence . Digital interventions have shown potential for PA promotion among cancer survivors , but most in a previous review were Web-based , and few studies used mobile apps . There are many PA apps available for general public use , but it is unclear whether these are suitable as a PA intervention after a cancer diagnosis . Objective This study sought posttreatment nonmetastatic breast , prostate , and colorectal cancer survivors ’ opinions of using smartphone apps to promote PA and gathered their views on existing publicly available PA apps to inform a future intervention . Methods Each participant was r and omly assigned to download 2 of 4 apps ( Human , The Walk , The Johnson & Johnson Official 7 Minute Workout , and Gorilla Workout ) . Participants used each app for 1 week consecutively . In-depth semistructured telephone interviews were then conducted to underst and participants ’ experiences of using the apps and how app-based PA interventions could be developed for cancer survivors . The interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis . Results Thirty-two participants took part : 50 % ( 16/32 ) had prostate cancer , 25 % ( 8/32 ) had breast cancer , and 25 % ( 8/32 ) had colorectal cancer . Three core themes were identified . The first theme was that multiple factors affect engagement with PA apps and this is highly personalized . Factors affecting engagement included participants ’ perceptions of ( 1 ) the advantages and disadvantages of using apps to support PA , ( 2 ) the relevance of the app to the user ( eg , in terms of cancer-related factors , their PA goals , the difficulty level of the app , the way in which they interact with their mobile phone , and the extent to which the app fits with their self-identity ) , ( 3 ) the quality of the app ( eg , usability , accuracy , quality of production , and scientific evidence -base ) , and ( 4 ) the behavior change techniques used to promote PA . In the second theme , participants recommended that apps that promote walking are most appealing , as walking removes many barriers to PA . Finally , the participants suggested that PA apps should be integrated into cancer care , as they valued guidance and recommendations from health care professionals . Conclusions This sample of breast , prostate , and colorectal cancer survivors was receptive to the use of apps to promote PA . Although no publicly available PA app was deemed wholly suitable , many suggestions for adaptation and intervention development were provided . The results can inform the development of an app-based PA intervention for cancer survivors . They also highlight the wide-ranging and dynamic influences on engagement with digital interventions , which can be applied to other evaluations of mobile health products in other health conditions and other health behaviors An adaptation of the Coping With Depression Course ( CWDC ) was evaluated in mothers of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) , a population at risk for depression . Mothers were r and omly assigned to receive the CWDC either immediately following an intensive summer treatment program targeting their child 's behavior or after a wait-list period .  Measures of maternal functioning , cognitions about child behavior , parent-child and marital relationship quality , child behavior , and ADHD-related family impairment were obtained at pretreatment , posttreatment , and 5-month follow-up . The CWDC result ed in improvements in maternal depressive symptoms , maternal self-esteem , child-related cognitions , and family impairment at posttreatment compared to a wait-list control group that were maintained at follow-up . Findings suggest that the CWDC is a promising intervention for mothers of children with ADHD , particularly those with current depressive symptomatology Commercial  mobile apps for health behavior change  are flourishing in the marketplace , but little evidence exists to support their use . This paper summarizes methods for evaluating the content , usability , and efficacy of commercially available  health apps .  Content analyses can be used to compare app features with clinical guidelines , evidence -based protocol s , and behavior change techniques . Usability testing can establish how well an app functions and serves its intended purpose for a target population . Observational studies can explore the association between use and clinical and behavioral outcomes . Finally , efficacy testing can establish whether a commercial app impacts an outcome of interest via a variety of study design s , including r and omized trials , multiphase optimization studies , and N-of-1 studies . Evidence in all these forms would increase adoption of commercial apps in clinical practice , inform the development of the next generation of apps , and ultimately increase the impact of commercial apps Objective : This study examines the relationship between parents ' knowledge of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) and opinions of treatment and their impact on enrolment in and adherence to both pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions for children with ADHD . Method : Participants in the study were the parents of 81 children who reached diagnostic criteria for ADHD and who were referred to a treatment study of ADHD involving stimulant medication and parent groups . The mothers completed a modified version of the ADHD Knowledge and Opinion Scale  ( AKOS ) prior to receiving diagnostic feedback and prior to the families ' decisions to participate in a 12-month r and omized trial ( medication [ methylpheni date or placebo ] and parent groups [ training or support ] ) . Treatment enrolment and adherence were monitored over the 12-month trial , and families who remained in the study at 12 months completed another modified AKOS . Results : A higher level of knowledge of ADHD was found to be related to more favourable opinions of parent groups but not of medication . Moreover , parents who were more knowledgeable about ADHD were more likely to enrol in both pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments . Adherence to pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments was not predicted by parental knowledge of ADHD or opinions of the treatment . Conclusion :  Parents ' knowledge of ADHD and opinions of treatments play a significant role in enrolment in treatments for their children with ADHD . Providing information to parents regarding ADHD prior to offering treatment modalities could have a favourable impact on treatment enrolment and hence treatment adherence
Conclusions These findings suggest that the apps may not be suitable in meeting the complex needs associated with this condition .
Background Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) is a complex highly comorbid disorder , which can have a huge impact on those with ADHD , their family , and the community around them .
ADHD is currently managed using pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions .
However , with advances in technology and an increase in the use of mobile apps , managing ADHD can be augmented using apps specifically design ed for this population .
However , little is known regarding the suitability and usability of currently available apps .
Objective The aim of this study was to explore the suitability of the top 10 listed apps for children and young people with ADHD and clinicians who work with them .
It is hypothesized that mobile apps design ed for this population could be more suitably design ed for this population .