Cross-Platform Ecological Momentary Assessment App (JTrack-EMA+): Development and Usability Study

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Clinical Research Technology
• Mobile Health Interventions

Background:

• Traditional data collection methods are costly and limited.
• Smartphone-based ecological momentary assessments (EMAs) offer real-time, longitudinal data.
• Technical obstacles hinder EMA adaptability, availability, and interoperability.

Purpose of the Study:

• Develop a cross-platform EMA app (JTrack-EMA+) for consistent user experience across operating systems.
• Ensure adaptability for diverse study designs while maintaining security and privacy.
• Implement the app following FAIR principles to reduce integration burdens for researchers.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Flutter framework for cross-platform compatibility.
• Developed a complementary online dashboard (JDash) using Python and Django for study management.
• Incorporated flexible assessment design, configurable logic, supplementary materials, and GDPR compliance.

Main Results:

• A pilot study with 480 days of follow-up assessed participant compliance.
• Average 6-month compliance was 49.3%.
• Compliance significantly declined from 66.7% in month 1 to 42% in month 6 (P=.004).

Conclusions:

• JTrack-EMA+ offers a platform-independent solution for deploying EMAs in clinical studies.
• Facilitates remote and home-based assessments, providing insights into daily patient life.
• Valuable for populations with limited mobility or healthcare access.