What are Headache Smartphone Application (App) Users Actually Looking for in Apps: A Qualitative Analysis of App Reviews to Determine a Patient Centered Approach to Headache Smartphone Apps

BACKGROUND: Many headache smartphone applications (apps) are commercially available. A Modified Delphi Study aimed to determine specialists' expectations of what a headache app should entail but consumer expectations of headache apps have not been evaluated extensively. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate publicly available reviews of headache apps to understand app features that motivate the consumers to use apps. METHODS: The Google Play and Apple App Stores were systematically searched for headache/migraine diary apps with 10+ consumer reviews. A maximum of 300 "Most Helpful" reviews for each app were extracted. Four coders coded reviews and resolved discrepancies. Themes and subthemes were created based on codes used 5+ times. RESULTS: About 15 apps met the study criteria (9 Android, 6 IOS). 945 reviews were coded. Four themes emerged: (1) App allows users to track headache characteristics, potential triggers, and treatments; (2) App usability; (3) Personalization and features to assess trends in data are key motivators for app use; (4) Ease with exportation and viewing data is critical. DISCUSSION: A user-centered design with the ability to (1) customize key features including headache characteristics, potential triggers, and treatments, (2) assess trends in data, and (3) view and export data would best optimize headache smartphone applications based on consumer preference.