Digital Apps to Improve Mobility in Adults with Neurological Conditions: A Health App-Focused Systematic Review

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Digital Apps to Improve Mobility in Adults with Neurological Conditions: A Health App-Focused Systematic Review

by

Reem Rendell ^1,2,3,4,*,

Marina Pinheiro^4,5,

Belinda Wang^4,5,

Fiona McKay^6,7,

Ashleigh Ewen⁸,

Catherine Carnegie⁹,

Erin Tikomaidelana¹⁰,

Zino Fattah¹⁰ and

Leanne Hassett^1,3,4,5

¹ Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia

² School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia

³ Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research/South Western Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia

⁴ Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, The University of Sydney/Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia

⁵ Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia

⁶ School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia

⁷ Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia

⁸ Royal Rehab, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia

⁹ Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, Wollongong, NSW 2500, Australia

¹⁰ South Western Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia

^*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Healthcare 2024, 12(9), 929; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12090929

Submission received: 28 March 2024 / Revised: 22 April 2024 / Accepted: 23 April 2024 / Published: 30 April 2024

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Telerehabilitation for Optimising Recovery)

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Abstract

The provision of mobility exercises through a smartphone application (app) for people undertaking neurological rehabilitation may improve mobility outcomes. However, it is difficult for clinicians and consumers to select high-quality, appropriate apps. This review aimed to identify (1) which mobile health (mHealth) apps are suitable for prescribing mobility exercises for adults with neurological health conditions, (2) how well these apps incorporate telehealth strategies, and (3) how well these apps rate in terms of quality and capacity for behaviour change. The Australian Apple iTunes Store was systematically searched, by using a search code and manually, for apps suitable for training mobility in neurological rehabilitation. Additional searches were conducted in known app repositories and for web-based apps. Trained reviewers extracted data from the included apps, including population-specific characteristics; quality, by using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS); and behaviour change potential, by using the App Behaviour Change Scale (ABACUS). The included apps (n = 18) provided <50 to >10,000 exercises, many incurred a subscription fee (n = 13), and half included telehealth features. App quality was moderate (mean MARS score of 3.2/5 and SD of 0.5), and potential for behaviour change was poor (mean ABACUS score of 5.7/21 and SD of 2.1). A limited number of high-quality apps are available for the prescription of mobility exercises in people with neurological conditions.

Keywords: neurological; rehabilitation; mobile app; mHealth; eHealth; systematic review; MARS; ABACUS

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