Motivations for use, user experience, and quality of menstrual cycle tracking mobile applications: A scoping review protocol
Date
2023-07-05
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Abstract
Objective: This scoping review aims to comprehensively assess and describe the existing peerreviewed
literature on motivations for use, user experience, and menstrual cycle app quality.
Introduction: The global mHealth market is growing at an unprecedented rate and is expected to
reach an estimated value of $18.7 billion by 2030 (Prophecy Market Insights, 2021). Tracking
health and menstrual cycle metrics can empower individuals by increasing awareness and
understanding of their menstrual cycle, being prepared for different cycle phases, contraception
and fertility, improving health-related behaviours, and informing conversations with healthcare
providers (Epstein et al., 2017; Levy & Romo-Avilés 2019; Karasneh et al., 2020; Adnan et al.,
2021; Gonçalves et al., 2021). Recent studies have identified several different factors that render
users more likely for continued app use. These include perceived personal and health benefits,
app accuracy, usability, and user-friendly design (Karasneh et al, 2020; Schantz et al., 2021).
Inclusion criteria: This scoping review will investigate the existing literature on menstrual cycle
tracking app use and factors contributing to user retention, such as motivations for the use of the
app, user experience, and app quality. All studies published in English after 2010 will be
included related to investigating apps that serve a pre-menopausal menstrual cycle app user base,
given that relevant data may be included even in studies where the scoping review research
question is not the focus.
Methods: The search strategy will aim to locate peer-reviewed studies. An initial limited search
of MEDLINE was undertaken to identify articles on the topic. Studies published in English will
be included. Studies published since 2010 will be included as that timeline is most appropriate
for the introduction of smartphones and smartphone apps on the market. The databases to be
searched include MEDLINE (Ovid platform), Embase (Ovid platform), Scopus (Elsevier), ACM
Digital Library, and IEEE Xplore.
Description
Keywords
mobile health applications, mhealth, menstruation, menstrual tracking