Centre for Online Health - Centre for Health Services Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
Australian E-Health Research Centre (AEHRC), Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Canberra, Australia.
Disabil Rehabil. 2022 Aug;44(17):4909-4920. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2021.1914755. Epub 2021 May 25.
This review aimed to document the characteristics and appraise the quality of dementia applications (apps) to support persons living with dementia and their caregivers.
Systematic searches of the Australian-based Google Play Store, Apple App Store, and relevant websites sought apps with dementia or Alzheimer's information, support for caregivers and persons living with dementia, or prevention content. Apps were screened and subsequently appraised via the mobile application review system (MARS).
The majority of the final 75 dementia apps were free to download, but were only available on a single platform. Persons involved in caregiving were the primary audience. App content focused on dementia information, practical caregiving, and communication tips. Language options in addition to English were limited and few apps offered ongoing support. MARS appraisal identified few apps with good "Overall Quality" scores. Apps that were more comprehensive trended towards higher MARS scores.
A composite lack of standardised quality indicators and commercial drivers of the marketplace present significant barriers for consumers seeking meaningful dementia information and support. Persons living with dementia and their caregivers would significantly benefit from social and organisational services that assist with navigating the app marketplace.Implications for rehabilitationThere is significant opportunity for quality digital innovations, including apps, to support home-based, independent dementia care.A composite lack of standardised quality indicators and commercial drivers of the app marketplace present significant barriers for persons living with dementia and their caregivers who seek apps with dementia information and support.Social and organisational services can support the dementia community through assistance with navigating the app marketplace for quality dementia information and support.
本综述旨在记录痴呆症应用程序（apps）的特点并评估其质量，以支持痴呆症患者及其照护者。
通过系统搜索澳大利亚版 Google Play 商店、Apple App Store 和相关网站，寻找具有痴呆症或阿尔茨海默病信息、支持照护者和痴呆症患者或预防内容的应用程序。对应用程序进行筛选，然后使用移动应用程序评估系统（MARS）进行评估。
最终的 75 个痴呆症应用程序中，大多数可以免费下载，但仅在单一平台上可用。参与照护的人员是主要受众。应用程序内容侧重于痴呆症信息、实用的照护和沟通技巧。除英语外，语言选项有限，并且很少有应用程序提供持续支持。MARS 评估发现，很少有应用程序具有良好的“总体质量”评分。更全面的应用程序往往具有更高的 MARS 评分。
缺乏标准化的质量指标和市场的商业驱动因素，这对寻求有意义的痴呆症信息和支持的消费者构成了重大障碍。痴呆症患者及其照护者将从协助他们在应用程序市场中导航的社交和组织服务中显著受益。
有很大的机会可以通过高质量的数字创新，包括应用程序，来支持基于家庭的独立痴呆症护理。缺乏标准化的质量指标和市场的商业驱动因素，这对寻求具有痴呆症信息和支持的应用程序的痴呆症患者及其照护者构成了重大障碍。社交和组织服务可以通过协助痴呆症社区在应用程序市场中找到高质量的痴呆症信息和支持来提供支持。
