Mobile Apps for Speech-Language Therapy in Adults With Communication Disorders: Review of Content and Quality.
communication disorders
ergonomics
language therapy
mHealth
mobile health
rehabilitation
speech therapy
Journal
JMIR mHealth and uHealth
ISSN: 2291-5222
Titre abrégé: JMIR Mhealth Uhealth
Pays: Canada
ID NLM: 101624439
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
29 10 2020
29 10 2020
Historique:
received:
23
03
2020
accepted:
27
09
2020
revised:
02
09
2020
entrez:
29
10
2020
pubmed:
30
10
2020
medline:
28
4
2021
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Worldwide, more than 75% of people with acquired brain injury (ABI) experience communication disorders. Communication disorders are impairments in the ability to communicate effectively, that is, sending, receiving, processing, and comprehending verbal and nonverbal concepts and symbols. Such disorders may have enduring impacts on employment, social participation, and quality of life. Technology-enabled interventions such as mobile apps have the potential to increase the reach of speech-language therapy to treat communication disorders. However, ensuring that apps are evidence-based and of high quality is critical for facilitating safe and effective treatment for adults with communication disorders. The aim of this review is to identify mobile apps that are currently widely available to adults with communication disorders for speech-language therapy and to assess their content and quality using the validated Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS). Google Play Store, Apple App Store, and webpages were searched to identify mobile apps for speech-language therapy. Apps were included in the review if they were designed for the treatment of adult communication disorders after ABI, were in English, and were either free or for purchase. Certified speech-language pathologists used the MARS to assess the quality of the apps. From a total of 2680 apps identified from Google Play Store, Apple App Store, and web searches, 2.61% (70/2680) apps met the eligibility criteria for inclusion. Overall, 61% (43/70) were available for download on the iPhone Operating System (iOS) platform, 20% (14/70) on the Android platform, and 19% (13/70) on both iOS and Android platforms. A content analysis of the apps revealed 43 apps for language, 17 apps for speech, 8 apps for cognitive communication, 6 apps for voice, and 5 apps for oromotor function or numeracy. The overall MARS mean score was 3.7 out of 5, SD 0.6, ranging between 2.1 and 4.5, with functionality being the highest-scored subscale (4.3, SD 0.6), followed by aesthetics (3.8, SD 0.8), information (3.4, SD 0.6), and engagement (3.3, SD 0.6). The top 5 apps were Naming Therapy (4.6/5), Speech Flipbook Standard (4.6/5), Number Therapy (4.5/5), Answering Therapy, and Constant Therapy (4.4/5). To our knowledge, this is the first study to systematically identify and evaluate a broad range of mobile apps for speech-language therapy for adults with communication disorders after sustaining ABI. We found a lack of interactive and engaging elements in the apps, a critical factor in sustaining self-managed speech-language therapy. More evidence-based apps with a focus on human factors, user experience, and a patient-led design approach are required to enhance effectiveness and long-term use.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Worldwide, more than 75% of people with acquired brain injury (ABI) experience communication disorders. Communication disorders are impairments in the ability to communicate effectively, that is, sending, receiving, processing, and comprehending verbal and nonverbal concepts and symbols. Such disorders may have enduring impacts on employment, social participation, and quality of life. Technology-enabled interventions such as mobile apps have the potential to increase the reach of speech-language therapy to treat communication disorders. However, ensuring that apps are evidence-based and of high quality is critical for facilitating safe and effective treatment for adults with communication disorders.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this review is to identify mobile apps that are currently widely available to adults with communication disorders for speech-language therapy and to assess their content and quality using the validated Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS).
METHODS
Google Play Store, Apple App Store, and webpages were searched to identify mobile apps for speech-language therapy. Apps were included in the review if they were designed for the treatment of adult communication disorders after ABI, were in English, and were either free or for purchase. Certified speech-language pathologists used the MARS to assess the quality of the apps.
RESULTS
From a total of 2680 apps identified from Google Play Store, Apple App Store, and web searches, 2.61% (70/2680) apps met the eligibility criteria for inclusion. Overall, 61% (43/70) were available for download on the iPhone Operating System (iOS) platform, 20% (14/70) on the Android platform, and 19% (13/70) on both iOS and Android platforms. A content analysis of the apps revealed 43 apps for language, 17 apps for speech, 8 apps for cognitive communication, 6 apps for voice, and 5 apps for oromotor function or numeracy. The overall MARS mean score was 3.7 out of 5, SD 0.6, ranging between 2.1 and 4.5, with functionality being the highest-scored subscale (4.3, SD 0.6), followed by aesthetics (3.8, SD 0.8), information (3.4, SD 0.6), and engagement (3.3, SD 0.6). The top 5 apps were Naming Therapy (4.6/5), Speech Flipbook Standard (4.6/5), Number Therapy (4.5/5), Answering Therapy, and Constant Therapy (4.4/5).
CONCLUSIONS
To our knowledge, this is the first study to systematically identify and evaluate a broad range of mobile apps for speech-language therapy for adults with communication disorders after sustaining ABI. We found a lack of interactive and engaging elements in the apps, a critical factor in sustaining self-managed speech-language therapy. More evidence-based apps with a focus on human factors, user experience, and a patient-led design approach are required to enhance effectiveness and long-term use.
Identifiants
pubmed: 33118953
pii: v8i10e18858
doi: 10.2196/18858
pmc: PMC7661246
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Review
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
e18858Commentaires et corrections
Type : ErratumIn
Informations de copyright
©Atiyeh Vaezipour, Jessica Campbell, Deborah Theodoros, Trevor Russell. Originally published in JMIR mHealth and uHealth (http://mhealth.jmir.org), 29.10.2020.
Références
Stud Health Technol Inform. 2015;219:168-73
pubmed: 26799901
JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2019 Aug 05;7(8):e14991
pubmed: 31381501
Semin Speech Lang. 2016 Feb;37(1):48-60
pubmed: 26882364
ASHA Suppl. 1993 Mar;35(3 Suppl 10):40-1
pubmed: 8097650
Brain Inj. 2017;31(13-14):1760-1780
pubmed: 29064304
PLoS One. 2018 Aug 9;13(8):e0201513
pubmed: 30092095
J Neurosurg. 2018 Apr 1;:1-18
pubmed: 29701556
J Med Internet Res. 2020 Feb 7;22(2):e16286
pubmed: 32044752
J Head Trauma Rehabil. 2019 Jul/Aug;34(4):E67-E82
pubmed: 30608310
Appl Ergon. 2006 Jul;37(4):525-35
pubmed: 16756937
Int J Lang Commun Disord. 2018 Sep;53(5):981-994
pubmed: 30003629
Lancet Neurol. 2007 Feb;6(2):182-7
pubmed: 17239805
Am J Speech Lang Pathol. 2015 May 1;24(2):316-337
pubmed: 25815778
J Head Trauma Rehabil. 2011 Jan-Feb;26(1):30-42
pubmed: 21209561
J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2009 Jul-Aug;16(4):550-60
pubmed: 19390112
JMIR Public Health Surveill. 2020 May 4;6(2):e19106
pubmed: 32339998
Int J Lang Commun Disord. 2008 Mar-Apr;43(2):135-53
pubmed: 18283594
JMIR Res Protoc. 2016 Nov 29;5(4):e233
pubmed: 27899341
Telemed J E Health. 2015 Sep;21(9):729-34
pubmed: 25942492
J Med Internet Res. 2014 Sep 15;16(9):e210
pubmed: 25223398
J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2005 Jan;60(1):S48-55
pubmed: 15643047
J Neurotrauma. 2014 Jan 1;31(1):64-77
pubmed: 23889321
Front Hum Neurosci. 2015 Jan 05;8:1015
pubmed: 25601831
Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016 Jun 01;(6):CD000425
pubmed: 27245310
J Biomed Inform. 2017 Jul;71:31-48
pubmed: 28536062
Int J Speech Lang Pathol. 2018 Nov;20(6):644-658
pubmed: 30301384
Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2016 Aug;97(8):1352-65
pubmed: 26679234
Telemed J E Health. 2016 May;22(5):434-40
pubmed: 26544535
Trials. 2016 Mar 22;17:153
pubmed: 27005901
JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2015 Mar 11;3(1):e27
pubmed: 25760773
BMJ. 2010 Feb 19;340:c808
pubmed: 20172926
Top Stroke Rehabil. 2010 Nov-Dec;17(6):411-22
pubmed: 21239365
Neuropsychol Rehabil. 2018 Jul;28(5):818-831
pubmed: 26926872
Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2019 Jan;100(1):115-127
pubmed: 30171827
Internet Interv. 2016 Nov 02;6:89-106
pubmed: 30135818
Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2016 Dec;97(12):2188-2201.e8
pubmed: 27063364