Mobile applications for cognitive training: Content analysis and quality review.

Area of Science:

• Digital health
• Mobile health (mHealth)
• Cognitive science

Background:

• Cognitive diseases and age-related cognitive decline are growing public health concerns.
• Mobile applications (apps) show potential as digital therapeutics for cognitive training.
• The content and quality of existing cognitive training apps require systematic evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically search and assess the quality of cognitive training apps.
• To utilize the multidimensional mobile app rating scale (MARS) for objective quality assessment.
• To identify critical factors influencing app quality and user engagement.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive search of Google Play Store and Apple App Store was conducted in February 2022.
• Apps were analyzed for cognitive domains targeted (memory, attention, executive function, visuospatial function).
• The Multidimensional Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) was employed to evaluate app quality, alongside analysis of review counts and star ratings.

Main Results:

• Of 53 apps, 98% targeted memory and 91% targeted attention; fewer targeted executive (45%) or visuospatial (36%) functions.
• The mean MARS quality score was 3.09 (SD 0.61). Engagement scored lower (2.97) than functionality (3.18), aesthetics (3.13), and information (3.11).
• App quality demonstrated a significant positive association with the number of reviews (r=0.447, P=.001) and showed an increasing trend with more cognitive domains included (P=.002).

Conclusions:

• Cognitive training apps predominantly focus on memory and attention, with limited inclusion of executive and visuospatial domains.
• App quality significantly improves with the inclusion of a broader range of cognitive domains.
• Future mobile app development for cognitive training should consider incorporating diverse cognitive domains and focus on enhancing user engagement to improve overall quality and effectiveness.