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. 2023 Jul 18;47(1):75. doi: 10.1007/s10916-023-01963-y

Table 2.

mHealth systems features

NEUROLOGICAL CONDITION MHEALTH SYSTEM NAME PURPOSE MAINLY APP FEATURES
Stroke ZyMi Metronome App [47] Train gait by rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS). It is a metronome app which provide a rhythmic auditory stimulation trough the subject’s earphone.
CSMi Apps [45] Train balance by visual and auditory feedback.

There was a group of apps which were designed to allow real-time visual auditory feedback information during the balance training goal tasks.

The apps and their main purpose are: (1) The CSMi Center of Pressure (to measure the changes in the subject’s center of pressure during sitting posture); (2) The CSMi Limits of Stability (to measure the subject’s capacity to stabilize their balance); (3) The CSMi Weight Bearing Front-Back and CSMi Weight Bearing Left-Right (both apps show the subject’s front-back and right-left weight position); (4) The CSMi Weight Shift (to measure the subject’s ability to change their pressure center from different directions); (5) The CSMi Animal Adventure (it is a game that measures the ability of the subject to regulate the balance at differing locations around the neutral position).

Virtual Active App [44] Train gait with speed-interactive treadmill based on visual feedback.

The app displays filmed images of world-famous landscapes (mountains, valleys, and cities) while subjects are walking on a speed-treadmill.

The app controls the speed of the video according to the subject’s gait speed.

Fitlab Training and Fitlab Test Apps [46] Monitor physical activity parameters and health-related outcomes. The two apps were used: (1) to record physical activity adherence and the walking distance and walking speed; (2) to measure mood states, effort, recovery, fatigue, and well-being by questionnaires; (3) to provide bidirectional feedback (subjects can see their progress and exchange text-messages with the research staff).
Ad-hoc App [38] Prescribe a home-based physical activity program. The app provides the exercises prescribed by video clips with the instructions to perform each exercise, allowing subjects to familiarize with the exercises. The sensors record and monitor the number of repetitions performed, and the app provides corrective visual and audio feedback during exercises execution. It also allows to self-record the exercises performed for further review.
Farmalarm App [43] Home-based core-stability exercises (CSE) program. The app guides a CSE program through description, photo, and video of a total of 32 exercises. Also, the app records the performance of the exercises proposed. The introduction of the exercises was based on the difficult of the position of the exercises, from the supine to sitting on an unstable base.
GoRhythm App [39] Individualized music-motor therapy. The app includes personal music, wireless wearables sensors and real-time auditory feedback through a metronome to deliver a RAS protocol. It also provides the recording of each subject´s motor performance.
Compass Inclinometer App [42] Provide visual feedback during an exercise program. The app displays three inclinometers indicating the degree of tilt of the smartphone, being a feedback input for the patients during the execution of the exercise program.
Parkinson’s Disease Audio-biofeedback (ABF)-Gait App (CuPiD system) [41] Recover gait through biofeedback by verbal instructions. The app has four training targets, cadence, stride length, symmetry, and gait speed. It allows the calibration according to the subject’s gait performance and connects to the IMUs. The app provides both positive and corrective verbal feedback during the gait training.
Freezing of Gait (FOG)-cue App (CuPiD system) [41] Recover gait providing biofeedback by visual information. The app allows: (1) to detect FOG, adjusted by the physiotherapist; (2) to prescribe exercise (walking in a figure of eight, making turns with and without replying to visual information, and walking through messed spaces); and (3) to provide intelligent cueing during walking and FOG episodes.
Wellpepper App [48] Facilitate changes in physical activity behaviour based on cognitive-behavioral content.

The app includes the videos and exercise prescription instructions (type, sets, repetitions, and auditory orders). The subjects can access their physical activity program through the app, and they also report data on pain and physical activity parameters (completed exercises and walking goals, adherence, level of difficulty) weekly.

The app sends motivational notifications to encourage subjects for completing the prescribed goals, and it also allows the subjects and the physical therapist to maintain communication via text-messaging.

Multiple Sclerosis Patient Information App (PIA) [50] Provide educational content on physical activity and its effects on different health-related outcomes and disease progression. The app contains diagrams and shorts videos clips of different health professionals and patients with multiple sclerosis sharing their experience with physical exercise. It provides large information about several forms of training (muscle strength, mobility, balance), their correct instructions, the risk of potential adverse effects, and the benefits on quality of life and mental health.
Neurological conditions (mixed) Lose it!, iPro Habit Tracker and Memory: The Dairy Apps [49] Self-management intervention for monitoring physical activity parameters and enhancing active behaviors. The Lose it! app was used to monitor physical activity and nutrition behaviors; the iPro Habit Tracker app was used to track goals progress; and the Memories app was used to record symptoms. These apps allow subjects to visualize their progress to achieve physical activity goals by feedback functionalities. The subjects can choose preferences about information, goal setting, and self-monitoring.
Pt Pal App[40] Provide a home-based physical activity program. The app provides an individualized exercise program. It includes picture or video clips of each exercise and dose exercises instructions (sets, repetitions, and number of times to perform each exercise daily). It allows subjects to carry out the exercise program in real time, guided by auditory feedback. Also, at the end of each exercise, the subjects can record the difficulty and level of pain for further review by the therapists.