Pirouz Piran1, Jinu Thomas2, Saroj Kunnakkat2, Abhishek Pandey2, Nadege Gilles2, Sarah Weingast2, Dee Burton3, Clotilde Balucani2, Steven R Levine4. 1. The State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Medical Center, New York, New York. Electronic address: pirouzpiran@gmail.com. 2. The State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Medical Center, New York, New York. 3. College of Medicine, New York, New York; CUNY Hunter School of Public Health Brooklyn, New York, New York. 4. The State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Medical Center, New York, New York; Department of Neurology, Kings County Hospital Center, New York, New York.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Recent studies estimate nearly half of the US population can access mobile medical applications (apps) on their smartphones. The are no systematic data available on apps focused on stroke survivors/caregivers. OBJECTIVE: To identify apps (a) designed for stroke survivors/caregivers, (b) dealing with a modifiable stroke risk factor (SRF), or (c) were developed for other purposes but could potentially be used by stroke survivors/caregivers. METHODS: A systematic review of the medical apps in the US Apple iTunes store was conducted between August 2013 and January 2016 using 18 predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria. SRFs considered were: diabetes, hypertension, smoking, obesity, atrial fibrillation, and dyslipidemia. RESULTS: Out of 30,132 medical apps available, 843 (2.7%) eligible apps were identified. Of these apps, (n = 74, 8.7%) apps were specifically designed for stroke survivors/caregivers use and provided the following services: language/speech therapy (n = 28, 37%), communication with aphasic patients (n = 19, 25%), stroke risk calculation (n = 11, 14%), assistance in spotting an acute stroke (n = 8, 10%), detection of atrial fibrillation (n = 3, 4%), direction to nearby emergency room (n = 3, 4%), physical rehabilitation (n = 3, 4%), direction to the nearest certified stroke center (n = 1, < 2%), and visual attention therapy (n = 1, <2%). 769 apps identified that were developed for purposes other than stroke. Of these, the majority (n = 526, 68%) addressed SRFs. CONCLUSIONS: Over 70 medical apps exist to specifically support stroke survivors/caregivers and primarily targeted language and communication difficulties. Apps encompassing most stroke survivor/caregiver needs could be developed and tested to ensure the issues faced by these populations are being adequately addressed.
BACKGROUND: Recent studies estimate nearly half of the US population can access mobile medical applications (apps) on their smartphones. The are no systematic data available on apps focused on stroke survivors/caregivers. OBJECTIVE: To identify apps (a) designed for stroke survivors/caregivers, (b) dealing with a modifiable stroke risk factor (SRF), or (c) were developed for other purposes but could potentially be used by stroke survivors/caregivers. METHODS: A systematic review of the medical apps in the US Apple iTunes store was conducted between August 2013 and January 2016 using 18 predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria. SRFs considered were: diabetes, hypertension, smoking, obesity, atrial fibrillation, and dyslipidemia. RESULTS: Out of 30,132 medical apps available, 843 (2.7%) eligible apps were identified. Of these apps, (n = 74, 8.7%) apps were specifically designed for stroke survivors/caregivers use and provided the following services: language/speech therapy (n = 28, 37%), communication with aphasic patients (n = 19, 25%), stroke risk calculation (n = 11, 14%), assistance in spotting an acute stroke (n = 8, 10%), detection of atrial fibrillation (n = 3, 4%), direction to nearby emergency room (n = 3, 4%), physical rehabilitation (n = 3, 4%), direction to the nearest certified stroke center (n = 1, < 2%), and visual attention therapy (n = 1, <2%). 769 apps identified that were developed for purposes other than stroke. Of these, the majority (n = 526, 68%) addressed SRFs. CONCLUSIONS: Over 70 medical apps exist to specifically support stroke survivors/caregivers and primarily targeted language and communication difficulties. Apps encompassing most stroke survivor/caregiver needs could be developed and tested to ensure the issues faced by these populations are being adequately addressed.
Authors: Siti Nur Suhaidah Selamat; Rosalam Che Me; Husna Ahmad Ainuddin; Mazatulfazura S F Salim; Hafiz Rashidi Ramli; Muhammad Hibatullah Romli Journal: Front Public Health Date: 2022-02-07
Authors: Muhammad Iqbal Haji Mukhti; Mohd Ismail Ibrahim; Tengku Alina Tengku Ismail; Iliatha Papachristou Nadal; Sureshkumar Kamalakannan; Sanjay Kinra; Jafri Malin Abdullah; Kamarul Imran Musa Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-10-10 Impact factor: 4.614