Why Adults Stop Using Health Apps
Author Information
Author(s): Mavragani Amaryllis, Voorheis Paula, Burstein Frada, Kidman Patrick G, Curtis Rachel G, Watson Amanda, Maher Carol A
Primary Institution: Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity, University of South Australia
Hypothesis
What factors contribute to the abandonment of lifestyle behavior and mental health mobile apps among adults?
Conclusion
Many users abandon health apps shortly after downloading due to various factors, including technical issues and evolving user needs.
Supporting Evidence
- 66% of health apps are abandoned within 90 days.
- 70% of users discontinue use within the first 100 days.
- 22 unique reasons for abandonment were identified, categorized into six overarching themes.
Takeaway
A lot of people stop using health apps soon after they download them because they find them hard to use or lose interest.
Methodology
A scoping review was conducted using PRISMA-ScR guidelines, analyzing 18 studies on app abandonment.
Potential Biases
Potential publication bias due to the exclusion of non-peer-reviewed studies and those published in other languages.
Limitations
The studies included varied widely in methodology and definitions of abandonment, making comparisons challenging.
Participant Demographics
Adults aged 18 and older, smartphone users, from various countries including the US, Canada, UK, and Germany.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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