Analyzing the Current State of Sleep Apps in the App Marketplace and in Literature: A Systematic Review

ABSTRACT

Objective: To analyze the characteristics of commercially available sleep-exclusive apps using the Mobile Health Index and Navigation (MIND) apps database published by the Division of Digital Psychiatry at BIDMC for app review. Background: Over 70 million Americans endure a chronic sleep disorder during their lifetime. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, mobile app benefits have been postulated as a means of expanding patient access to scientifically-based interventions in aiding their sleep disorders. With the increasing adoption of mobile health apps, it is critical that information regarding these mobile apps are sufficiently analyzed. Design/Methods: Using pre-specified criteria, we identified 106 sleep related mobile apps in the iOS and Google Playstores, and rated them using a 105 question review that is part of the MIND database. Questions focused on Accessibility, Privacy & Security, Clinical Foundation, Engagement Style, and Interoperability. The features of the 106 apps were compared to a control group of non-sleep apps to evaluate the features and limitations sleep apps bear relative to the remainder of the marketplace. Results: The most common features of sleep apps were mindfulness (68.9%), deep breathing (54.7%), and psychoeducation (30.2%). Regarding functionality, 39.6% of apps have accessibility features and 49.1% can be used offline. However, sleep apps lack sleep trackers (22.6%), exportability features (21.7%), and opportunities to collaborate with one's provider (7.6%). Only 10.4% of sleep apps have an efficacy study. Conclusions: Sleep apps in the marketplace are primarily used to help the user fall and stay asleep. In its current state, sleep apps can assist only the user as a self-help tool. The lack of sleep tracking, support, exportability, the inability to collaborate with one's provider and efficacy studies limit the potential of implementing sleep apps for clinical use.