Hightow-Weidman L, Muessig K, Knudtson K, et al. (2018). A gamified smartphone app to support engagement in care and medication adherence for HIV-positive young men who have sex with men (AllyQuest): Development and pilot study. JMIR Public Health and Surveillance. 4(2): e34. doi: 10.2196/publichealth.8923
AllyQuest is a gamified mobile application (app) designed to improve engagement in care, medication adherence, and social support for HIV-positive young men who have sex with men (YMSM). Researchers developed AllyQuest in partnership with a private technology development firm and 2 youth advisory boards composed of 8 HIV-positive YMSM (aged 16-24). AllyQuest draws from social cognitive theory and the Fogg Behavior Model. Features of AllyQuest include daily discussion questions, interactive stories, tailored messages, achievements and awards, and educational resources. Researchers recruited 8 YMSM for usability testing involving a “think-aloud” exercise, where participants navigate the app and describe their thoughts out loud, and interviews completed after using AllyQuest for a week. Researchers focused on technical bugs and user experience in response to usability testing. Researchers also conducted a pilot study with 20 HIV-positive YMSM who used AllyQuest for four weeks. Pilot study participants completed assessments of usability, satisfaction, and HIV self-management pre- and post-intervention and were interviewed about perceptions of the app post-intervention. Researchers collected app usage information for each participant. Pilot study participants used the app for 158.4 minutes and on 21.2 days on average. There was a significant relationship between numbers of days where participants used the app and perceptions of having the knowledge and confidence to take medication regularly. Most participants reported that the app helped them better manage their HIV (n=15), they would recommend the app to a peer (n=16), and they would use the app again (n=16).