Mobile applications to prescribe physical exercise in frail older adults: review of the available tools in app stores

Luis Soto-Bagaria; Sophie Eis; Laura Mónica Pérez; Lorena Villa-García; Oriol de Solà-Morales; Carme Carrion; Maria Giné-Garriga; Marco Inzitari

doi:10.1093/ageing/afad227

journal article Open Access Dec 01, 2023

Mobile applications to prescribe physical exercise in frail older adults: review of the available tools in app stores

Luis Soto-Bagaria Sophie Eis Laura Mónica Pérez

Lorena Villa-García Oriol de Solà-Morales Carme Carrion

Maria Giné-Garriga

Marco Inzitari

Age and Ageing Vol. 52 No. 12 · Oxford University Press (OUP)

View at Publisher Save 10.1093/ageing/afad227

Abstract

Abstract

Introduction
Different remote interventions, such as applications (apps), have been used to continue promoting healthy ageing and preventing disability during the COVID-19 pandemic. The growing trend of apps in health is exponential and may facilitate scaling up physical activity prescription. Numerous tools are available, but little is known regarding their appropriateness, validation and recommendation, especially for frail older adults.

Methods
In-house, we developed an application that makes both the Apple app Store and the Google Play Store searchable using topic-related keywords and facilitates the extraction of basic app-information of the search results. The study was aimed at apps available to an English-speaking market. The resulting apps were filtered using various inclusion and exclusion criteria. The resultant apps underwent a more in-depth characterisation and searches for scientific publications on each app website and PubMed.

Results
From an initial search result of &gt;2,800 apps, 459 met the initial inclusion criteria. After a more in-depth review of their features, 39 apps remained for possible app in older frail patients. After testing them, 22 apps were excluded. Seventeen apps fit the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were deemed appropriate after peer review. Of these, only one app, Vivifrail, had any type of publication/published evidence.

Conclusion
Apps can be valuable tool in prescribing exercise for frail older adults living in the community. However, few apps seem useful on a large scale, and there is limited evidence to support their effectiveness. It is important to invest in adapting Information and Communication Technologies to this population group.

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Details

Published: Dec 01, 2023
Vol/Issue: 52(12)
License: View

Authors

L

Luis Soto-Bagaria

REFiT Aging Research Group, Parc Sanitari Pere Virgili and Vall d’Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR) , Barcelona , Spain; SAFE Research Group , Faculty of Psychology, Education and Sport Sciences Blanquerna, , Barcelona , Spain; Ramon Llull University , Faculty of Psychology, Education and Sport Sciences Blanquerna, , Barcelona , Spain

S

Sophie Eis

Fundació HiTT , Barcelona , Spain

L

Laura Mónica Pérez

REFiT Aging Research Group, Parc Sanitari Pere Virgili and Vall d’Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR) , Barcelona , Spain

L

Lorena Villa-García

REFiT Aging Research Group, Parc Sanitari Pere Virgili and Vall d’Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR) , Barcelona , Spain; Department of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) , Barcelona , Spain; Qida , Sabadell , Spain; Department of Public Health , Mental Health and Mother-Infant Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, , Barcelona , Spain; University of Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat , Mental Health and Mother-Infant Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, , Barcelona , Spain

O

Oriol de Solà-Morales

Fundació HiTT , Barcelona , Spain

C

Carme Carrion

Ehealth Lab Research Group, School of Health Sciences, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya , Barcelona , Spain

M

Maria Giné-Garriga

SAFE Research Group , Faculty of Psychology, Education and Sport Sciences Blanquerna, , Barcelona , Spain; Ramon Llull University , Faculty of Psychology, Education and Sport Sciences Blanquerna, , Barcelona , Spain; Department of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences , Faculty of Psychology, Education and Sport Sciences (FPCEE) Blanquerna, , Císter 34, Barcelona 08022 , Spain; Ramon Llull University , Faculty of Psychology, Education and Sport Sciences (FPCEE) Blanquerna, , Císter 34, Barcelona 08022 , Spain

M

Marco Inzitari

REFiT Aging Research Group, Parc Sanitari Pere Virgili and Vall d’Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR) , Barcelona , Spain; Ehealth Lab Research Group, School of Health Sciences, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya , Barcelona , Spain

Cite This Article

Luis Soto-Bagaria, Sophie Eis, Laura Mónica Pérez, et al. (2023). Mobile applications to prescribe physical exercise in frail older adults: review of the available tools in app stores. Age and Ageing, 52(12). https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afad227

Mobile applications to prescribe physical exercise in frail older adults: review of the available tools in app stores

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