Accepted for/Published in: Journal of Medical Internet Research
Date Submitted: Jan 10, 2025
Date Accepted: Apr 15, 2025
Content Evaluation of Mobile Applications Designed for Patients Suffering from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS)
ABSTRACT
Background:
Digital health interventions, especially mobile applications, have become instrumental in helping women at risk of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), increasing their understanding of the condition, improving self-care, and fostering empowerment. However, their rapid proliferation has brought about significant challenges regarding quality assessment and evidence-based determination.
Objective:
This study was designed to assess the content of mobile applications developed for patients with PCOS using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS).
Methods:
This descriptive-analytical study identified English and Persian PCOS-related applications using key search terms from Café Bazaar and Google Play Store. The applications were independently reviewed by two reviewers using the MARS tool. The inter-rater reliability was measured using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) test. The quality of each app was scored across four dimensions: engagement, functionality, aesthetics, and information quality.
Results:
A total of 18 free applications out of 199 met the study criteria. The inter-rater agreement rate was 85%, considered acceptable. The app's overall quality, as assessed using the MARS, was found to be acceptable, with a mean score of 3.6 out of 5. Functionality and aesthetics were the highest-scoring dimensions in most apps (n = 10). In contrast, engagement following information quality received the lowest average score. The Ask PCOS app achieved the highest overall score, performing exceptionally well in both subjective quality (4.75) and app-specific quality (4.33), which reflects its strong capacity to positively impact users’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to PCOS. Uvi Health and Ask PCOS scored highest in engagement (4.2), while PCOS and PCOD Diet & Remedies led in functionality (5), and Uvi Health topped aesthetics (5).
Conclusions:
The reviewed applications for PCOS showed strong performance in functionality and aesthetics, highlighting their ease of use and visually appealing designs. However, low engagement and information quality scores indicate a need for more interactive features and reliable, evidence-based content. Future application development should address these limitations and leverage the capabilities of existing mobile devices.
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