@Article{info:doi/10.2196/mhealth.5849,
author="Stoyanov, Stoyan R
and Hides, Leanne
and Kavanagh, David J
and Wilson, Hollie",
title="Development and Validation of the User Version of the Mobile Application Rating Scale (uMARS)",
journal="JMIR Mhealth Uhealth",
year="2016",
month="Jun",
day="10",
volume="4",
number="2",
pages="e72",
keywords="MARS; mHealth; eHealth; app evaluation; end user; app trial; mhealth trial; user testing; mobile application; app rating; reliability; mobile health; well being; mental health; smartphone; cellphone; telemedicine; emental health; e-therapy; Internet; online; cognitive behavioral therapy; anxiety; anxiety disorders; depression; depressive disorder; Australia; research translation; evidence-informed; mHealth implementation; mHealth evaluation; randomized controlled trial; RCT",
abstract="Background: The Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS) provides a reliable method to assess the quality of mobile health (mHealth) apps. However, training and expertise in mHealth and the relevant health field is required to administer it. Objective: This study describes the development and reliability testing of an end-user version of the MARS (uMARS). Methods: The MARS was simplified and piloted with 13 young people to create the uMARS. The internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the uMARS was then examined in a second sample of 164 young people participating in a randomized controlled trial of a mHealth app. App ratings were collected using the uMARS at 1-, 3,- and 6-month follow up. Results: The uMARS had excellent internal consistency (alpha = .90), with high individual alphas for all subscales. The total score and subscales had good test-retest reliability over both 1-2 months and 3 months. Conclusions: The uMARS is a simple tool that can be reliably used by end-users to assess the quality of mHealth apps. ",
issn="2291-5222",
doi="10.2196/mhealth.5849",
url="http://mhealth.jmir.org/2016/2/e72/",
url="https://doi.org/10.2196/mhealth.5849",
url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27287964"
}