Table 2.
Studies included for the qualitative synthesis of the systematic review.
| Author/year | Study design | Objective | Sample | Technology description | Main results | Characteristics of the quality of the software product ISO/IEC 25010:2011 |
| Vos-Draper et al, 2013 [9] | Not described | Develop a prototype seat pressure mapping system through a mat that transmits data to a smartphone app in real time. | Five individuals presenting spinal cord injury and wheelchair users. | Each individual performed three separate sessions and sat on the mat for 3 consecutive hours. Pressure relief was performed for 2 min every 30 min. | Over 3 hours, the mean pressure tended to increase with time, while the dispersion index remained more constant. The app prototype did not allow the clinician to select individual scatter index areas on the map, so generic sections were used. The app allows users to self-monitor. | Functionality |
| Faux et al, 2016 [13] | Not described | Propose a smartphone app for wound tracking. | One individual simulates the development of a heel PUa during a 7-week period of hospitalization. | A mobile app (prototype) evaluated by health care professionals in a controlled environment. Photos of wound evolution at 7 weeks were simulated using texture modeling. To preserve an unchanging angle of the camera shooting a transparent image, a mask was placed over the current capture of the photo instead of dots and lines around the wound. | The captured photos showed almost the same scale and orientation throughout the 7 weeks of the study. Quantitative results showed a variation of 40% of the area and 25% of the perimeter due to the difficulty of aligning the mask over the current image of the wound, especially in the intensive care unit or hospital room when patient mobility is reduced. | Functionality, efficiency, and usability |
| Tibes 2015 [36] | Applied research | Develop a mobile app prototype that assists in the prevention and classification of PUs. | Eight nursing specialists and eight computer specialists. | It used Android, Java programming language, which was provided by Android SDKb and Android Studio, and the KNNc algorithm. The requirement analysis was used for software development. | App navigation flowchart. The app presents the user with a list of PU care recommendations. The user can capture a photo of the PU, and the system will process this image with a suggestion of the probable stage of the injury. Additionally, it calculates the score using Braden scale. | Functionality, efficiency, usability, reliability, maintainability, and portability. |
| Friesen et al, 2013 [3] | Not described | Create an interface that maximizes user compliance and data value for primary users. | Eight nurses from a health unit. | The nurses received a smartphone or tablet with the app, 90-min training, and a training manual. The nurses used the app in their daily practice with at least seven consecutive shifts. After 3 weeks, web-based research was applied on the design and functionality of the app and 6 weeks after a focus group session was held. | The nurses reported that the app was logical. However, they identified the need for more cross browsing between the various areas of the app and indicated that the list of treatments section was very long. They observed that the value of the wound image depended on how the photographs were taken. Based on user testing, the researchers will work on improvements in the design and development of image analysis algorithms. | Functionality, efficiency, usability, safety, and maintainability. |
| Poon et al, 2015 [2] | Not described | To develop an algorithm that determines the size of the wound in relative and absolute terms and to analyze the color of the PU image. | This is the SMARTWOUNDCARE mobile app, with a description of the enhancement of image analysis algorithms. | The following three algorithms were used: mask image, camera calibration, and color analysis. | It was possible to automatically detect the size of the PU, as well as the color of the wound and to ultimately correlate the PU stage. However, it was not possible to determine the depth of the PU. | Functionality and efficiency |
| Pérez-Barreno et al, 2013 [31] | Not described | Develop an app with recommendations for the prevention and treatment of PUs. | This is the description of the GuíaUPP app. | A bibliographic search was carried out at the Joanna Briggs Institute, ANEDIDICd, and GNEAUPPe, and complementary searches were carried out on articles, books, and manuals. The methodology was evaluated using the AGREEf instrument. | The app addresses classification, evaluation, prevention, treatment, products, and bibliographic references. The GuiaUPP provides the best and most up-to-date evidence available on the prevention and treatment of PUs. | No quality characteristics are detailed |
aPU: pressure ulcer.
bSDK: software development kit.
cKNN: K-nearest neighbor.
dANEDIDIC: Asociación Nacional de Enfermería Dermatológica e Investigación del Deterioro de la Integridad Cutánea (National Association of Dermatology Nursing and Research of Harm to Skin Integrity).
eGNEAUPP: Grupo Nacional para el Estudio y Asesoramiento en úlceras por Presión y Heridas Crónicas (National Group for Study and Counseling in Pressure Ulcers and Chronic Wounds).
fAGREE: Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation.