Scientific evidence for digital health applications (apps) which claim to help in the prevention and management of diabetes (T2D) is meagre. We aimed to evaluate currently available health apps for prevention of T2D amongst South Asians.
Using the key words diabetes prevention, healthy lifestyle and fitness, two independent reviewers selected apps only if they were commercially available in India, in English, updated in last 6 months, had an average user rating of ≥3, 10,000+ downloads and at least 50 user reviews. The apps were rated on a scale of 1 to 4 (max. score 16) based on above mentioned criteria by a third reviewer. App size was also rated but had reverse scoring. Apps were excluded if they offered medical treatment, unconventional diets, pharma delivery, promoted a brand/device or were in beta testing mode.
Using the key words from over 740 apps, 47 met the eligibility criteria. Using the rating system,16 apps with an overall score of 9 were selected. Of which 87%(14) apps had a rating of 4 and above and 50,000 plus downloads, 81%(13) apps had size below 30MB and 50% (8) had user reviews above 10,000. Further, these apps will be downloaded and evaluated using a scientifically established tool called the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS).
Many health apps are currently available in the market however robust evaluation of these apps is lacking. It is crucial we develop a standard evaluation methodology that rate these apps for their quality and evaluate their efficacy as a health tool.