Mobile Phone Apps for Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Prevention and Response: Systematic Search on App Stores.

BACKGROUND: Since the 2008 advent of the smartphone, more than 180 billion copies of apps have been downloaded from Apple App Store, with more than 2.6 million apps available for Android and 2.2 million apps available for iOS. Many violence prevention and response apps have been developed as part of this app proliferation. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the prevalence and quality of freely available mobile phone apps targeting intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual violence (SV) prevention and response. METHODS: We conducted a systematic search of violence prevention and response mobile phone apps freely available in Apple App Store (iOS; March 2016) and Google Play Store (Android; July 2016). Search terms included violence prevention, sexual assault, domestic violence, intimate partner violence, sexual violence, forensic nursing, wife abuse, and rape. Apps were included for review if they were freely available, were available in English, and had a primary purpose of prevention of or response to SV or IPV regardless of app target end users. RESULTS: Using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS), we evaluated a total of 132 unique apps. The majority of included apps had a primary purpose of sharing information or resources. Included apps were of low-to-moderate quality, with the overall subjective quality mean for the reviewed apps being 2.65 (95% CI 2.58-2.72). Quality scores for each of the 5 MARS categories ranged from 2.80 (engagement) to 4.75 (functionality). An incidental but important finding of our review was the difficulty in searching for apps and the plethora of nonrelated apps that appear when searching for keywords such as "rape" and "domestic violence" that may be harmful to people seeking help. CONCLUSIONS: Although there are a variety of mobile apps available designed to provide information or other services related to SV and IPV, they range greatly in quality. They are also challenging to find, given the current infrastructure of app store searches, keyword prioritization, and highlighting based on user rating. It is important for providers to be aware of these resources and be knowledgeable about how to review and recommend mobile phone apps to patients, when appropriate.

Viewing Injury in Dancers from a Psychological Perspective - A Literature Review.

It has been reported that injury among dancers has a lifetime incidence of 90%, and recent research suggests that up to 60% of those dancers injured will meet the requirements for clinical referral to a psychologist. This study aims to review the existing literature in the field of dance psychology that focuses on psychological antecedents and responses to injury. Several relevant theories in dance psychology are reviewed. From this literature, it is suggested that psychological techniques can be taught in educational settings to equip dance students with the necessary tools to look after their bodies and minds, reduce the risk of injury, and aid in healing existing injuries. Greater emphasis should also be placed on combining physical and psychological support to improve holistic care and treatment of dancers' injuries.

A mixed-methods evaluation of college student and provider perspectives on a smartphone application for help-seeking after violence.

OBJECTIVE: To elicit feedback on the acceptability, usability, and dissemination options for the bMOREsafe smartphone application (app). Participants: Forty-nine students and six service-providers provided feedback on the bMOREsafe app between April 2015 and March 2016. Methods: Students responded to an anonymous online survey and providers participated in semi-structured interviews. Descriptive and thematic analyses were completed. Results: Students rated the app as useful, however less applicable to themselves and their peers. Students stated they would be most receptive to recommendations about the app from peers and social media. Qualitative data from service providers fell into three main categories: trauma-informed aspects; inclusivity vs. specificity; and within an app, language matters. Conclusions: Smartphone technology can provide confidential information and resources to help students make decisions related to sexual assault or intimate partner violence care. While students and providers identified apps as a useful strategy for sharing this information, dissemination challenges remain.

Alternate Light Source Findings of Common Topical Cosmetics and Three Removal Methods.

INTRODUCTION: Alternate light sources (ALSs) are a tool used by forensic nurses to aid in the physical examination of patients. Prior research has shown some topical makeup products absorb alternate light similar to the absorption noted in bruises. Therefore, the purposes of this study were (a) to further examine the ALS findings of multiple brands and types of makeup products and (b) to compare the efficacy of three methods of makeup removal. METHODS: Fourteen makeup products were applied to the forearms of 100 healthy adult volunteers with varying skin tones and then assessed under white light, six alternate light wavelengths, and three color filters, producing 19 total wavelength-and-filter combinations. The results were recorded before and after removal procedures by forensic nurse examiners who were blinded to the removal method. A three-arm randomized controlled trial of makeup removal methods (soap and water, isopropyl alcohol swab, makeup removal wipe) was conducted with the participants. RESULTS: All 14 makeup products produced absorption in at least 10% of the observations. Fluorescence was observed in more than 10% of the observations for only two products. After product removal, four products continued to produce statistically significant absorption findings when viewed under an ALS. One product produced significant fluorescence after removal procedures. There were no statistically significant differences between the removal methods noted in any of these analyses. CONCLUSION: Our findings support the importance of using alternate light as one component of a comprehensive forensic examination, including history taking and physical examination.

Alternate Light Source Findings of Common Topical Products.

BACKGROUND: One of the important roles of a forensic clinician is to perform examinations of patients who are victims and suspects of crime. Alternate light source (ALS) is a tool that can improve evidence collection and enhance visualization of injuries. The purpose of this study was to examine if commonly used topical products fluoresce or absorb when examined with an ALS. Second, we aimed to identify patient and examination variables that may impact findings. METHODS: A convenience sample of 81 subjects was used. After the application of 14 over-the-counter products, researchers observed the participants' skin with an ALS under 18 combinations of wavelengths and colored filters. RESULTS: Of the 14 products viewed (n = 1458 observations per product), six were found to fluoresce under alternate light in more than 40% of observations, five fluoresced in 1%-10% of observations, and three fluoresced less than 1% of the time. One product (a makeup product) absorbed ALS light consistently (81%), and a second (a sunscreen product) absorbed in 7%, whereas the remaining 12 products produced absorption findings in less than 1% of observations. In generalized mixed linear models, absorption findings were more commonly identified in participants with light or medium skin tones when compared with those with dark skin tones. DISCUSSION: These results suggest that the presence of topical products may impact ALS findings. A thorough forensic clinical assessment should include a documented history, including assessment of potential sources of findings, to aid in interpretation.