Validity and reliability of mobile applications in physical therapy: protocol for a systematic review

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND@#Due to technological advancements, mobile applications have aided in the enhancement of assessment, treatment, and exercise programs for the major stakeholders in healthcare. However, there is a lack of preponderance of the evidence of reliability and validity of these mobile applications among traditional tools/methods used in rehabilitation. Thus, this systematic review aims to identify and synthesize existing studies on evidence of the validity and reliability of mobile applications used in physical therapy. @*METHODS@#Included in this systematic review are studies written in English that tested the PT mobile application in healthy individuals, compared it with gold standard equipment, and tested the app's validity and/or reliability. A literature search will be conducted on nine databases, and two electronic software will be used - (1) Mendeley and (2) Rayyan. The Brink and Louw (2012) Critical Appraisal Tool will be used to assess the validity and reliability of the eligible articles. A qualitative review and meta-analyses will be conducted for data synthesis.@*EXPECTED RESULTS@#This study will contribute to current knowledge and healthcare practices by providing information on valid and reliable PT applications, synthesizing evidence on mobile applications that will improve PT assessments and interventions, and which applications can be further studied and developed. Overall, the results of this study will give information on how PT mobile applications can complement standard test measures or procedures in physical therapy such as assessments, interventions, and home exercise programs.