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A review of iPhone and Android apps for cancer patients and survivors: assessing their quality, nutrition information and behaviour change techniques
Author(s) -
Keaver Laura,
Loftus Amy,
Quinn Laoise
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of human nutrition and dietetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.951
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1365-277X
pISSN - 0952-3871
DOI - 10.1111/jhn.12857
Subject(s) - medicine , checklist , clinical nutrition , app store , accountability , gerontology , family medicine , world wide web , psychology , computer science , political science , law , cognitive psychology
Background The present study reviewed the quality, nutrition content and behaviour change techniques (BCTs) of apps aimed at those with cancer. Methods The Apple App Store and Androids’ Google Play were searched in March 2020. Apps were scored for accountability as per Silberg’s standards, quality as per the Mobile Application Rating Scale, and BCTs using the CALO‐RE Taxonomy. Nutrition content was summarised and a checklist developed from the European Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ESPEN) cancer and nutrition guidelines and the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) guidelines for Cancer Survivors. Results Twelve apps were identified, mean (SD) accountability score was 2.7/8 (2.0) (range 0–6) and quality score was 2.9/5 (0.6) (range 1.7–3.7). Overall, 11 BCTs were used (range 0–8 per app). Nutrition content focussed on healthy eating and meeting energy needs. There was a lack of strategies for implementation and no indication of whether the advice was more suited for specific cancer types, stages or treatment. Limited reference was made to recommendations of ESPEN and the WCRF. A strong positive relationship between quality and number of BCTs was found ( r = 0.805, n = 9, P = 0.01). Conclusions Little nutrition information is currently included on publicly available apps aimed at those with a cancer diagnosis.