Table 4.
Overview of the 5 top-rated apps.
| Variable | Appa | |||||
| App 1 | App 2b | App 3 | App 4 | App 5 | ||
| Overall quality (MARS-Gc) | 4.36 | 4.22 | 4.21 | 4.19 | 4.16 | |
| Quality dimensions (MARS-G) |
|
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|
|
Engagement | 4.30 | 4.10 | 3.80 | 4.00 | 4.30 |
|
|
Functionality | 4.63 | 4.38 | 3.50 | 4.75 | 4.25 |
|
|
Esthetics | 4.50 | 4.83 | 4.83 | 4.17 | 4.50 |
|
|
Information | 4.00 | 3.57 | 3.71 | 3.86 | 3.57 |
| Technical aspects (MARS-G)d |
|
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|
|
Privacy and security featurese | 10 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 8 |
|
|
Technical guidance | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
|
|
Tailored interventions, real time feedback | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
|
|
App community | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Strategies (MARS-G)d |
|
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|
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Information, education | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
|
|
Tips, advice | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
|
|
Breathingf | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
|
|
Mindfulness, gratitudef | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
|
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Relaxationf | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
|
|
Acceptancef | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Functions (MARS-G)d |
|
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|
|
Monitoring, tracking | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
|
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Reminder | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
|
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Data collection | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
|
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Automated feedback | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Theory-based stress management strategiesg |
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|
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Guided imagination, visualization (RSMSh) | ✓ | ✓ | |||
|
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Music (RSMS) | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Evidence basei | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Long-term availability |
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|
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App still available after 2 yearsj | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Year of the last update | 2022 | 2022 | 2022 | 2020 | 2022 | |
aApp 1, Happify: bei Ärger und Stress (English translation: Happify: Anger and Stress); App 2, Sanvello: Stress & Anxiety Help; App 3, Headspace: Meditation & Schlaf (English translation: Headspace: Meditation & Sleep); App 4, go4health – gesund leben (English translation: go4health – living healthy); App 5, BamBu: Meditation & Achtsamkeit (English translation: BamBu: Meditation & Mindfulness).
bName of this app after the second search in August 2022: “Sanvello: Anxiety and Depression.” The app may no longer meet inclusion criterion 2 (“the app was developed for adults in the general population without mental or somatic disorders”). At the time of the screening process in 2020, we listed this app as “Sanvello: Stress & Anxiety Help,” and it met the inclusion criteria.
cMARS-G: German Mobile Application Rating Scale.
dWith the exception of “privacy and security features,” all general characteristics of the categories “technical aspects,” “strategies,” and “functions” of the MARS-G are listed, which were included in at least three of the top 5 apps.
eThe number of statements made regarding 19 possible security features is provided.
fStrategies that were included in the MARS-G and also in the list of theory-based stress management strategies.
gAll theory-based stress management strategies (according to Kaluza [13] and Christmann et al [31]) are listed, when they were included in at least two of the top 5 apps. Theory-based stress management strategies that are already listed in the MARS-G strategies are not listed again (breathing [regenerative stress management strategy], relaxation [regenerative stress management strategy], mindfulness [regenerative stress management strategy], and acceptance [mental stress management strategy]).
hRSMS: regenerative stress management strategy.
iAll studies were randomized controlled trials.
jApp 4 was still available but only in the Google Play Store and was not available anymore in the Apple App Store, where it was found in 2020.