Proposing a standardized, step-by-step model for creating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related mobile mental health apps in a framework based on technical and medical norms

Background: Prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a problem all over the world. There are high barriers for entry into formal psychotherapy, which results in a lack of mental health care for a significant part of the population. Mobile mental Health (mMHealth) applications (apps) seem to be a promising new development for countering this lack of care, building on the success of mHealth (Mobile Health) apps in general. Unfortunately, the overall quality of such apps stands in high contrast to their number. The aim of this manuscript is to propose a standard for creating PTSD-related mMHealth apps incorporating a process for evaluation and assessment of their usability and impact. Methods: This is done by first defining each step of the process and its relation to the other steps. The steps themselves, divided into those concerned with development, evaluation and implementation, are bound to the established medical and technical norms pertaining to them. Existing protocols from recent literature have been integrated into these steps. Results: As a result, a comprehensive model covering the process of creating, assessing and implementing an mMHealth app from start to finish was developed. The model may be adapted to other disorders or specialized for certain symptoms of PTSD. Conclusion: Adopting such a model could result in a ‘blueprint’ for creating mMHealth apps in a standardized way, thereby facilitating the testing and comparing of such apps.