Abstract
Objective
This study sought to review and appraise Apple App Store applications (apps) designed
for menstrual cycle tracking, ovulation prediction, and other topics related to fertility
or the management of infertility.
Methods
The Apple App Store was systematically searched using the keywords “period tracker,”
“menstrual tracker,” “fertility,” “ovulation,” “IVF,” and “in vitro fertilization.”
Apps were downloaded after being screened against pre-defined inclusion criteria.
Included apps were independently reviewed by two authors. Data were extracted, and
an app quality score (AQS) was calculated according to a premade rubric. Apps were
assessed on the basis of their general features, menstrual cycle tracking and prediction
features, infertility-related features, and usability.
Results
A total of 140 apps were included in the final analysis, of which 90 (64.3%) were
free. The average AQS was 32.5%. There was no significant difference in AQS between
free and paid apps (31.5% vs. 34.2%; P = 0.491). A total of 62 (44.3%) apps made dynamic cycle predictions on the basis
of cumulatively input data. Thirty-one apps (22.1%) contained serious inaccuracies
in content, tools, or both. Only 25 apps (17.9%) contained information or functions
specifically related to infertility or its management.
Conclusion
Some high-quality menstrual cycle tracking apps are available; however, many more
are of low quality, and users should be wary of relying on their predictions to avoid
pregnancy or to maximize chances of conception. Few apps specifically address the
needs of patients struggling with infertility.
Résumé
Objectif
Cette étude avait pour but d'examiner et d'évaluer les applications de l'App Store
d'Apple conçues pour suivre les menstruations, prédire l'ovulation et traiter d'autres
sujets relatifs à la fertilité ou au traitement de l'infertilité.
Méthodologie
Une recherche systématique a été effectuée dans l'App Store au moyen des mots-clés
period tracker, menstrual tracker, fertility, ovulation, IVF et in vitro fertilization. Les applications ont été téléchargées après un contrôle en fonction de critères
d'inclusion prédéfinis. Les applications retenues ont été évaluées indépendamment
par deux des auteurs. Les données ont été extraites, et un indice de qualité de l'application
(IQA) a été calculé selon une grille préétablie. Les applications ont été évaluées
en fonction de leurs caractéristiques générales, des fonctionnalités de suivi et de
prédiction des menstruations, des fonctionnalités relatives à l'infertilité et de
la convivialité.
Résultats
Un total de 140 applications, dont 90 applications (64,3 %) gratuites, ont été retenues
pour l'analyse. L'IQA moyen était de 32,5 %. Aucune différence significative n'a été
observée entre les IQA des applications gratuites et payantes (31,5 % par rapport
à 34,2 %; P = 0,491). Un total de 62 applications (44,3 %) comportaient des fonctionnalités de
prédiction dynamique des cycles fondée sur le cumul des données saisies. D'importantes
inexactitudes dans le contenu, les outils ou les deux ont été trouvées dans 31 applications
(22,1 %). Seulement 25 applications (17,9 %) comprenaient de l'information ou des
fonctionnalités spécifiques à l'infertilité ou au traitement de l'infertilité.
Conclusion
Certaines applications de suivi menstruel de haute qualité sont offertes. Toutefois,
on recense beaucoup plus d'applications de mauvaise qualité. Ainsi, les utilisatrices
ne devraient pas se fier aux prédictions de ces applications pour prévenir la grossesse
ou pour maximiser leurs chances de concevoir. Peu d'applications répondent spécifiquement
aux besoins des patientes qui éprouvent des problèmes d'infertilité.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: December 24, 2019
Footnotes
This study was presented as an oral abstract at the 2018 meeting of the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society in September 2018 in Montréal, QC.
Competing Interests: See Acknowledgements.
The authors have indicated that they meet the journal's requirements for authorship.
Identification
Copyright
© 2019 The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada/La Société des obstétriciens et gynécologues du Canada. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
