In my last post, I mentioned I would like to create a package of two programs; a office-based virtual reality program, that would be used together with a phone app for the patient. However, after a quick google search I discovered that people are already creating Oculus Rift programs to combat Agoraphobia and I feel that I will be able to access, critique and improve on the existing phone applications better if I’m not trying to define two products at once.
However, the app WILL still be made to be used in conjunction with such a virtual reality program, as the link between them is to enable better connection and fluidity between the therapy and the patients home life where they have to try to challenge their phobia independently. The core concept I want to focus on is this App that can not only do all the things other anxiety management apps can do, but with better user engagement, with ways of recording data for their GP and really focusing on the continuing support and motivation for the patient suffering from Agoraphobia.
I decided to have a look at some of the Apps available for my phone to get an insight into their design, usability and helpfulness from the perspective of someone with Agoraphobia.
The ones I looked at were focused on many different aspects, including: hypnotism audio track apps to improve self esteem, motivate and encourage better sleeping habits; breathing and anti hyperventilation apps; and general anxiety apps that feature advice, calming exercises and guided visualizations to help someone dealing with anxiety.
Honestly, a lot of them were ugly, clunky to use and don’t make a great first impression. If they can’t figure out brown/red/yellow aren’t really positive colours for a health app, and comic sans isn’t an appropriate font, then how can you trust any ‘help’ provided. For some, I didn’t even try to download after I saw screen shots of them etc.
The least useful of these apps were the ones that just had reams and reams of information to read as if it were a book or website.
One of the best apps I came across was SAM (self-help for anxiety management) developed in collaboration with researchers at the University of the West of England, and it’s even featured on the NHS website.
SAM Home Page
SAM Breathing Exercise
As you can see from these screen shots, the SAM app is simple, well thought out and pretty easy to use. My only negative comment is that often you’re not really sure how to get to a specific exercise etc because there are just so many options and layers of activities within the app. It tries to be everything to everyone which is difficult and although it was my favourite out of all the apps I looked at: there’s still too much going on and the navigation is not quite as simple as I would have liked it to be.
Cognitive Diary
I Can Be Fearless Info Page
Two other apps I wanted to include in this blog post are ‘Cognitive Diary’ and ‘I Can Be Fearless’: the first focuses on recording your anxiety and feelings over time so you can assess them later and the second is an app completely based around in-app purchases of audio files for a variety of different phobias… Both have horrible colour schemes and are confusing to navigate. They don’t really offer anything over the other platforms you could use to access the same information. Cognitive Dairy is outdated and though I Can Be Fearless tries to be stylish, it really doesn’t achieve anything except being a handheld database of audio you have to purchase. However, what I can learn from them is what to avoid. People say don’t judge a book by its cover but unfortunately we all do and the only positive I can draw from Cognitive diary is the way it tries to collect data.