A Review of Usability Methods Used in the Evaluation of Mobile Health Applications for Diabetes.

Mobile health applications for diabetes are developed like never before and many patients use them for their personalized health needs. With increased use, an increased number of usability evaluations are performed to assure that the applications function as intended. In this review the goal was to determine what usability methods are currently used in the evaluation of mobile health applications for diabetes and how these are used. METHODS: A literature review was conducted to identify applicable studies in the databases ACM Digital Library, Cinahl and Pubmed between the years 2015 and 2020. After the inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, 32 articles remained that were included in the final review. RESULTS: Most of the studies included one established usability engineering method such as an expert-based and/or user-based method or a validated questionnaire/instrument. Some also included a combination of these. Others used methods of their own design; commonly questionnaires and interviews either on their own or in combination. CONCLUSION: To achieve an adequate level of evidence and quality in the evaluation, it is important that at least one is an established usability engineering method or a validated instrument. This to assure and continue to build the evidence base in this area