Table 1 The classification criteria for the mHealth app usability evaluation framework

Stage one: Combining components

The evaluation took place in a laboratory setting and involved “user-task-system” interactions with a goal of diagnosing and fixing problems; typically based on small studies [30, 31]

Stage two: Integrating system into setting

The evaluation took place in the actual environment and involved “user-task-system-environment” interactions with a goal of testing the usability of the system in the absence of researcher influence and fixing usability problems; typically based on small studies [30, 32]

Stage three: Routine use

This stage was routine use of a complete or near-complete system in a realistic condition that could be used to determine whether the design met specific measurable performance and/or satisfaction goals or to establish a usability benchmark or make comparisons [33]