• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.51-61
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• 2023

Background: Mobile applications (apps) on dietary supplements can increase consumers' access to information. However, it can lead to indiscriminate use of dietary supplements. This study aims to systematically review dietary supplement apps released in English and Korean and evaluate the quality of those apps. Methods: Through the app stores, apps on dietary supplements were systemically searched and examined. Two independent evaluators evaluated the apps and presented a mean score using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS). The correlation between MARS scores, user and evaluator ratings, and the number of secondary features of the apps were analyzed. Results: Of the 2,772 dietary supplement apps identified, 17 apps were included according to the selection criteria. The mean MARS score was 3.28 (standard deviation: 0.29) out of 5. Apps had higher scores in aesthetics and functionality dimensions, while engagement and information dimensions had lower scores. There was a positive correlation between the number of app downloads and information among MARS dimensions. The subjective evaluation also correlated with the information dimension. There was a positive correlation between the secondary features of the apps and MARS total score as well as the engagement dimension. Conclusion: The dietary supplement apps need to be managed at a higher level of quality to provide safe and reliable information to consumers. Especially, quality on information and engagement dimensions can be improved. Involvement of healthcare professionals in the app development, management with adequate referencing of information, and use of secondary features for enhanced user engagement can be helpful.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.859-871
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• 2019

Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the usability, quality, and usefulness of the mobile application, CAMBRA-kids, for caries management in preschoolers. Methods: Ninety-one caregivers and preschoolers participated in the user evaluation of CAMBRA-kids. The evaluators assessed the usability, quality, and usefulness of CAMBRA-kids. The collected data were analyzed using R studio 1.2.1335 for Windows (RStudio Inc. 2018, Boston, MA, USA). The evaluations for usability, quality, and usefulness were analyzed with descriptive statistics, Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test, and Wilcoxon rank sum test. Results: On user evaluation, the quality and usefulness of the application scored >3 points, and majority of the users rated the quality and usefulness of the application as high. The quality of the application's system was the highest at 3.68 points, and the actual usage of the application was the lowest at 3.10 points. The application had the highest technological aspect score of 3.20, whereas the content related to oral health information had the lowest score of 3.10/5. Although the application showed no statistically significant differences in the quality and usefulness according to general characteristics, there was a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) between the two when compared between the caries risk group. For all items, the protector of the high-risk group evaluated the quality and usefulness of the application highly. The moderate risk group gave the lowest evaluation score for the application's quality and usefulness. The usability score of the application, according to the user version of the mobile application rating scale (uMARS), was 3.25, and the average engagement score was 2.82 (56.31%). The highest subscale score was 3.63. Conclusions: In this study, we found suitable quality, usability, and usefulness of the mobile application, CAMBRA-kids. In future, the use of this application will contribute to the prevention of dental caries among preschoolers.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2023

Objectives : This study aims to provide information regarding the status and quality of mobile applications (MAs) using self-acupressure by performing a systematic review. Methods : We conducted comprehensive searching on five international databases and two app markets from inception to July 31, 2022 to identify MAs using self-acupressure. We analyzed the characteristics of each MA regarding the name of the MA, registered app markets, target symptoms, developers, the year and country of development, cost, target age, media function, and expertise. We assessed the quality of each MA using Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS). Results : We identified a total of 30 MAs using self-acupressure (25 MAs from the app market and 6 MAs from clinical studies, with 1 MA in common). 17 out of 24 MAs from the app market provided self-acupressure regimens for various symptoms and the others provided regimens for specific symptoms such as memory, anxiety, depression, asthma, allergy, low back pain, and headache. 14 developers were reported. 23 MAs were developed after 2013. The largest number of MAs were developed in the United States. The target age group of 12 MAs was above the age of 3, and that of 11 MAs was above the age of 12. 14 MAs provided multimedia functions such as videos. 13 MAs provided information of expertise. From clinical studies, only 3 out of 6 MAs were accessible through the app market. 4 MAs were developed by the researchers of the study. In terms of MARS, the score of MAs from the app market was higher than that of MAs from clinical studies in both objective and subjective evaluation areas. Conclusions : This study summarizes the characteristics of MAs using self-acupressure. More MAs using self-acupressure should be developed and further clinical research for MA on each symptom and disease is warranted for the diversification of MA fields using self-acupressure.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.190-199
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to describe the characteristics of mobile applications (apps) related to pregnancy in South Korea and evaluate their quality. Methods: We conducted a systematic search for pregnancy-related apps available in Korea in two app stores as of April 29, 2022. The quality of apps was assessed using the Korean translation of the Mobile Application Rating Scale for objective quality with four subdomains (engagement, function, aesthetics, and information) and four items for subjective quality. Results: In total, 163 apps were selected and reviewed. Both the objective and subjective quality of the apps were found to be desirable, with scores exceeding 3 out of 5 (range, 34-82). All subdomain scores in the objective quality assessment were also desirable. Among the four objective quality subdomains, aesthetics received the highest scores, followed by information, function, and engagement. In terms of subjective quality, the scores for a comprehensive overall evaluation, continuous use, and recommendation exceeded 3 out of 5, with the exception of payment. Only a small number of apps (n=4, 2.9%) were backed by a reliable authority, such as an expert review. Significant differences were observed in the objective quality of apps across different content categories (F=3.86, p=.003). Conclusion: Most pregnancy-related apps had desirable levels of objective and subjective quality. However, app content experts seldom provide reviews. It is crucial for nurses to recommend apps to expectant mothers that offer dependable content, regularly updated with the latest information.

• Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.241-253
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to introduce the structure and functions of an application developed for enhancing risk knowledge/perception, called KNOWRISK, and to identify and determine problems and requirements based on the usability evaluation results of the application. Method: The evaluation was conducted using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) with a sample of 43 application users and related experts. Result: The application received a satisfactory evaluation score with an overall average of 4.074 points, and there was no significant difference in evaluation scores between experts and users. The highest score was for ease of use at 4.47, while the lowest score was for cost payment usage at 2.88. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that efforts to increase risk knowledge and promote safe behavior using a mobile application can be an effective and efficient strategy for preventing industrial accidents and enhancing safety management.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.12 no.10
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• pp.343-352
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• 2021

A convergence study was conducted to develop a smartphone application for self-practice of core nursing skills and evaluate its usefulness for undergraduate nursing students. Mobile Application Rating Scale and seven essay questionnaire were used to for usability evaluation among 22 undergraduate nursing students. The score of the information domain was the highest with 4.19(SD 0.79). The subjective quality domain showed the lowest score of 3.08(SD 0.87). Participants' performance confidence score was 8.23(SD 1.60), and learning satisfaction score was 7.89(SD 0.87). Participants reported that the convenience and repetitive self-learning were the strengths of the app. In addition, design and technical supplementation, and lecturer-feedback would improve effectiveness of the current educational app. Findings of this convergent study would be helpful to promote the application of mobile apps for effective self-learning of core nursing skills in undergraduate nursing education. Future resesarch is needed to examine effectiveness study of mobile app on the performance of core nursing skills.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.479-492
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• 2019

Objectives: This study aimed to develop the CAMBRA-kids application for the systematic management of dental caries among preschoolers, activate the dental caries management system, and contribute to the dental caries management of preschoolers. Methods: The collected data were analyzed using R studio 1.2.1335 for Windows (RStudio Inc., Boston, MA, USA, 2018). Algorithm evaluation, heuristic evaluation and usability evaluation were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: Both expert evaluations of the application's algorithms were calculated as 100%, for proficiency and efficiency. The application worked well with the designed algorithms, the risk group level of participants was categorized appropriately, and the risk management method was guided properly according to the risk group level. Of the five problems presented in the heuristic evaluation, 'the lack of security' and 'the lack of information on oral health care' received 'high severity' scores. The usability evaluation of the application produces an overall score of 3.27. In the subscales (participation, functionality, aesthetics, and information) of the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS), the 'participation' domain received the lowest score of 2.56 and the 'functional' domain received the highest score of 3.70. Conclusions: The CAMBRA-kids application is expected to be applied and used in the field of preschoolers' oral health care management, and to contribute to the prevention of dental caries of preschoolers by activating the dental caries management system using the application.