Family Behavioral Goal Setting and Tracking: Quality Evaluation of Commercially Available Mobile Applications for Parents (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Goal setting and tracking are well-established behavior change strategies that have been used with parents to modify child behaviors. Little is known about the extent to which commercially available mobile applications (apps) are designed to guide parents in using these strategies, their evidence base, and their quality. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to review commercially available apps related to setting and tracking behavioral goals that target parents and children. The objectives were to: 1) classify the general characteristics, features, evidence base and target behaviors of the apps, 2) assess the quality of the identified apps, and 3) compare the apps that target health-related behaviors (HRB) versus apps without a health-related behavior (WHRB) included. METHODS Apps were identified using keyword searches in the Apple App Store and Google Play. Apps were included if the main purpose was to assist with setting goals, tracking goals, tracking behaviors, and/or giving feedback pertaining to goals for children by parents. App characteristics and common features were coded and documented to classify the apps. Quality of each app was assessed using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) by two separate reviewers. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the MARS total score, four quality subscales, and six app-specific items that reflect perceived impact of the app on goal setting and tracking. Kruskal-Wallis rank sum tests were used to compare the MARS total scale, subscales, and app-specific items between the HRB apps and WHRB apps. RESULTS Of the 21 apps identified, 16 met criteria for review. The majority of goal setting/tracking apps (n= 9) defined and targeted health-related behaviors (6 nutrition/mealtime, 5 physical activity/screen time, 7 sleep, 6 personal hygiene). Three apps targeted specific ages, with four years being the youngest. None of the apps provided tailored assessments or guidance for goal-setting. None indicated that they had been tested for efficacy. The MARS total score indicated moderate app quality overall (M=3.42, SD=0.49) and ranged from 2.5 to 4.2 out of 5 points. The mean MARS total score was significantly higher for HRB (M=3.67, SD=0.34) versus WHRB apps (M=3.09, SD=0.46 P=0.02). The Habitz app ranked highest on the MARS total score among HRB apps (4.2), while Thumsters ranked highest (3.9) among the WHRB apps. HRB apps also scored higher on the Engagement and Information subscales and on three of the app-specific items about perceived impact on Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behavior Change. CONCLUSIONS Several high-quality commercially available apps target parents to facilitate goal setting and tracking for child behavior change related to both health and non-health behaviors. However, the apps lack evidence of efficacy. Future research should address this gap, particularly for parents of young children, and consider including individually tailored guided goal setting. CLINICALTRIAL Not applicable