%0 Journal Article
%@ 2291-5222
%I JMIR Publications
%V 4
%N 2
%P e72
%T Development and Validation of the User Version of the Mobile Application Rating Scale (uMARS)
%A Stoyanov,Stoyan R
%A Hides,Leanne
%A Kavanagh,David J
%A Wilson,Hollie
%+ Centre for Children’s Health Research, Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), CCHR, QUT, 62 Graham Street, Brisbane, QLD, 4101, Australia, 61 730697592, leanne.hides@qut.edu.au
%K MARS
%K mHealth
%K eHealth
%K app evaluation
%K end user
%K app trial
%K mhealth trial
%K user testing
%K mobile application
%K app rating
%K reliability
%K mobile health
%K well being
%K mental health
%K smartphone
%K cellphone
%K telemedicine
%K ehealth
%K emental health
%K e-therapy
%K Internet
%K online
%K cognitive behavioral therapy
%K anxiety
%K anxiety disorders
%K depression
%K depressive disorder
%K Australia
%K research translation
%K evidence-informed
%K mHealth implementation
%K mHealth evaluation
%K randomized controlled trial
%K RCT
%D 2016
%7 10.06.2016
%9 Original Paper
%J JMIR Mhealth Uhealth
%G English
%X 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. 
%M 27287964
%R 10.2196/mhealth.5849
%U http://mhealth.jmir.org/2016/2/e72/
%U https://doi.org/10.2196/mhealth.5849
%U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27287964