JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Mobile research apps are increasingly used in mental health studies to enable multimodal data collection, including self-report, passive smartphone data, and digital behavioral assessments. However, ensuring usability and sustained engagement remains a challenge. User expectations, shaped by commercial apps, often conflict with research constraints, making it difficult to design research-driven apps that balance usability with scientific rigor. Applying user-centered design (UCD) principles can help address these challenges, but their role in optimizing research apps, especially those used in studies involving varied data protocols, requires further evaluation.

Objective:

This study aimed to document the UCD process used in developing a mobile research app for young people’s mental health (the UPIC app), assess its usability post-implementation, and provide insights for future research app developers and study designers.

Methods:

A UCD approach was applied, involving a series of design workshops with young people aged 15–29 to co-design the app’s interface, including early drafts of visual layout and wording. Iterative design modifications were made based on participant feedback. Following development, a usability test was conducted with 10 participants using iOS and Android devices. Participants completed task-based usability evaluations while using the think-aloud method, followed by semi-structured interviews, and the User Experience Plus (UEQ+) questionnaire. Qualitative data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis; quantitative data focused on task performance metrics and user experience scores.

Results:

User involvement contributed to improvements in interface aesthetics, navigation, accessibility, and clarity of wording. Usability testing identified remaining issues related to system feedback, survey tracking, and interaction clarity. Some user- suggested features, such as enhanced survey progress tracking and engagement elements, were only partially implemented due to feasibility constraints and concerns about data integrity. Participants evaluated the app positively in terms of trustworthiness and ease of learning, as reflected in UEQ+ scores, while ratings for engagement and novelty were lower.

Conclusions:

While UCD improved interface usability, findings highlight the importance of combining user involvement with early, real-world usability testing to identify persistent issues. Balancing usability best practices with research constraints requires transparent communication of study design, ethical engagement strategies, and structured usability evaluations. Future research app development studies should integrate iterative UCD to support both user experience and data quality. Clinical Trial: ClinicalTrials.gov (UU20230127; NCT: NCT06490120)