Issues in reporting of systematic review methods in health app-focused reviews: A scoping review

Abstract

No guidelines exist for the conduct and reporting of manuscripts with systematic searches of app stores for, and then appraisal of, mobile health apps ('health app-focused reviews'). We undertook a scoping review including a systematic literature search for health app-focused reviews describing systematic app store searches and app appraisal, for apps designed for patients or clinicians. We created a data extraction template which adapted data elements from the PRISMA guidelines for systematic literature reviews to data elements operationalised for health app-focused reviews. We extracted the data from included health app-focused reviews to describe: (1) which elements of the adapted 'usual' methods of systematic review are used; (2) methods of app appraisal; and (3) reporting of clinical efficacy and recommendations for app use. From 2798 records, the 26 included health app-focused reviews showed incomplete or unclear reporting of review protocol registration; use of reporting guidelines; processes of screening apps; data extraction; and appraisal tools. Reporting of clinical efficacy of apps or recommendations for app use were infrequent. The reporting of methods in health app-focused reviews is variable and could be improved by developing a consensus reporting standard for health app-focused reviews.

Keywords: apps; ehealth; methodology; mhealth; systematic review.