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01-06-2017 | Case Study

Choosing between responsive-design websites versus mobile apps for your mobile behavioral intervention: presenting four case studies

Authors: Gabrielle M. Turner-McGrievy, PhD, MS, RD, Sarah B. Hales, PhD, Danielle E. Schoffman, Homay Valafar, PhD, Keith Brazendale, MS, R. Glenn Weaver, PhD, Michael W. Beets, PhD, Michael D. Wirth, MSPH, PhD, Nitin Shivappa, MPH, PhD, Trisha Mandes, MPHN, James R. Hébert, ScD, Sara Wilcox, PhD, Andrew Hester, Matthew J. McGrievy, MLIS

Published in: Translational Behavioral Medicine | Issue 2/2017

Abstract

Both mobile apps and responsive-design websites (web apps) can be used to deliver mobile health (mHealth) interventions, but it can be difficult to discern which to use in research. The goal of this paper is to present four case studies from behavioral interventions that developed either a mobile app or a web app for research and present an information table to help researchers determine which mobile option would work best for them. Four behavioral intervention case studies (two developed a mobile app, and two developed a web app) presented include time, cost, and expertise. Considerations for adopting a mobile app or a web app—such as time, cost, access to programmers, data collection, security needs, and intervention components— are presented. Future studies will likely integrate both mobile app and web app modalities. The considerations presented here can help guide researchers on which platforms to choose prior to starting an mHealth intervention.

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Title: Choosing between responsive-design websites versus mobile apps for your mobile behavioral intervention: presenting four case studies
Authors: Gabrielle M. Turner-McGrievy, PhD, MS, RD
Sarah B. Hales, PhD
Danielle E. Schoffman
Homay Valafar, PhD
Keith Brazendale, MS
R. Glenn Weaver, PhD
Michael W. Beets, PhD
Michael D. Wirth, MSPH, PhD
Nitin Shivappa, MPH, PhD
Trisha Mandes, MPHN
James R. Hébert, ScD
Sara Wilcox, PhD
Andrew Hester
Matthew J. McGrievy, MLIS
Publication date: 01-06-2017
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Translational Behavioral Medicine / Issue 2/2017
Print ISSN: 1869-6716
Electronic ISSN: 1613-9860
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13142-016-0448-y

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Choosing between responsive-design websites versus mobile apps for your mobile behavioral intervention: presenting four case studies

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