TY  - JOUR
AU  - Stoyanov, Stoyan R
AU  - Hides, Leanne
AU  - Kavanagh, David J
AU  - Wilson, Hollie
PY  - 2016
DA  - 2016/06/10
TI  - Development and Validation of the User Version of the Mobile Application Rating Scale (uMARS)
JO  - JMIR Mhealth Uhealth
SP  - e72
VL  - 4
IS  - 2
KW  - MARS
KW  - mHealth
KW  - eHealth
KW  - app evaluation
KW  - end user
KW  - app trial
KW  - mhealth trial
KW  - user testing
KW  - mobile application
KW  - app rating
KW  - reliability
KW  - mobile health
KW  - well being
KW  - mental health
KW  - smartphone
KW  - cellphone
KW  - telemedicine
KW  - emental health
KW  - e-therapy
KW  - Internet
KW  - online
KW  - cognitive behavioral therapy
KW  - anxiety
KW  - anxiety disorders
KW  - depression
KW  - depressive disorder
KW  - Australia
KW  - research translation
KW  - evidence-informed
KW  - mHealth implementation
KW  - mHealth evaluation
KW  - randomized controlled trial
KW  - RCT
AB  - 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. 
SN  - 2291-5222
UR  - http://mhealth.jmir.org/2016/2/e72/
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2196/mhealth.5849
UR  - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27287964
DO  - 10.2196/mhealth.5849
ID  - info:doi/10.2196/mhealth.5849
ER  -