Evaluation of Smartphone Pelvic Floor Exercise Applications Using Standardized Scoring System.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify smartphone Kegel and pelvic floor exercise applications (apps) and identify those with superior functionality, features, and accuracy. METHODS: We identified a complete list of Kegel and pelvic floor exercise applications by searching iTunes and Google Play stores for "pelvic floor," "pelvic floor exercises," "Kegel," and "Kegel exercises." We used a modified APPLICATIONS scoring system to evaluate all identified apps. RESULTS: We identified 120 apps related to Kegel exercises. Apps unrelated to the pelvic floor, unavailable in English, or duplicated on a separate platform were excluded from the analysis, leaving 90 unique apps. After a preliminary review, we excluded an additional 58 apps that were nonfunctional, required a biofeedback device, or intended for pregnant women. The final 32 apps included 15 paid and 17 free apps. Paid apps had higher rates of privacy features than free apps (80% vs 53%), used more images and figures (53% vs 41%), and were more likely to cite primary literature in their descriptions (33% vs 29%). Paid apps were also more likely to have tech support available (73% vs 53%). Overall score, however, was almost identical between the groups, with paid apps averaging 9.93 and free apps 9.41. The highest rated free and paid app both received a score of 12, consisting of Kegel Trainer and Kegel Trainer Pro, respectively. CONCLUSION: The quality of the apps is markedly variable in both the paid and unpaid applications. Using the APPLICATIONS scoring system, the apps were very similar in overall quality and value.