Table 1:

Methods for Apps Selected for this Study and Pre-specified Criteria

Determining Top Five Neuropsychiatric Conditions The APA app evaluation framework served as an initial starting point for determining the key features in the app evaluation process, such as privacy, security, and efficacy.33 GS generated a list of the top five most disabling neuropsychiatric conditions worldwide according to the 2016 Global Burden of Disease Study by the WHO. We used the WHO’s global results tool34 to generate the list by selecting disability adjusted life years (DALYs) as the measure of disability. Stroke, and neurological disorders, mental disorders, drug use disorders, depressive disorders, eating disorders, and autistic spectrum disorders were selected as the causes of DALYs for all ages and both sexes. This generated a list of 28 conditions, from which we picked the top five that caused the most DALYs. This list encompassed the following conditions ordered from most DALYs caused to least: 1. Stroke; 2. Migraine; 3. Major Depressive Disorder; 4. Alzheimer’s and other Dementias; 5. Anxiety Disorders.

Inclusion Criteria Listed under the medical, health or educational categories in the app stores. Appear in the first 50 search results in the Google Play Store and the first 50 search results in the Apple App Store. Offer an intervention/treatment or tracking mechanism for the user. Included the name of the condition in the app title or description.

Exclusion Criteria If the interventions offered were solely motor opposed to cognitive-based therapy, since motor apps are a more heterogeneous category. If the apps were designed for use by a family member or a healthcare provider. If their initial payment for app purchase was greater than $5.