Mobile Apps & Resources: Via Therapy

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To keep you updated on the go, our ‘app of the month’ highlights one free informational app every month!

Librarian reviewers consider the audience and purpose of the apps, as well as highlighting additional features:
 
  • In the ‘Evidence’ section, we assess how easily an app user can identify the app’s currency and support from the evidence
  • In the ‘Usability’ section, we assess the organization of information and other usability factors that may contribute to user experience

Our complete grading criteria for evidence and usability are embedded in the review.

Please note that the reviewers are not healthcare professionals, and so cannot appraise the quality of any recommendations within the app. The reviews are not endorsements.

View the AHS policy on Mobile Wireless Devices and Services.

 

Via Therapy

Via Therapy   
 

Version reviewed

 Google Play: 1.0.13

Device & OS used

 Android Motorola E4 Android 7.1.1 BH); Google Pixel 2 (RZ)

Date of review

April, 23, 2020; May 25, 2020

Reviewers Brianna Howell-Spooner & Rachel Zhao
Technician Support  Lori Maisey

Image Source: Via Therapy, Apple App Store. Retrieved on June 11, 2020 from: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/viatherapy/id1108116302

 

Stated Purpose  

This VIAtherapy app recommends recovery interventions for patients with upper extremity stroke rehabilitation needs. It’s an algorithmic approach that applies evidence for best practice in rehab treatment. 

Features

On the homepage in the app.

Screenshots

Specialties/Disciplines

Physiatry, Neurology, and Physical & Occupational Therapy

Physiatrists (physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians)

Neurologists

Physical therapists

Occupational therapists

Notes

 

Part 1: Editorial committee, content updates, and evidence grading

The contributors’ names and affiliations are listed on ViaTherapy’s website in “international panel”. The contributors’ contact information is not provided.

No conflict of interest statement, or update frequency is provided.

There is a disclaimer in the app and users need to accept it each time when using the app. 

The rating scale used in the case of this app for this section does not capture the usefulness of this app in a clinical setting. A quality improvement report provides more info on its clinical usefulness: https://bmjopenquality.bmj.com/content/8/3/e000592

Part 2: Source and authorship information for 3 entries

n/a

Organization of information

Information is organized in an easy to follow manner, the flow of the screening questions winnows down the exercise choices for the practitioner, in a way that hopefully makes sense to the intended audience

Navigation

Little navigation

Extras

User Account required: No

Internet connection required for use: No  

Text search field: No 

Browsable content: No

Advertisements: No

Pop-up advertisements: No

In-app purchases: No

Devices 

Compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Requires iOS 10.0 or later. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/viatherapy/id1108116302

Last updated (as per App store listing): August 15, 2019

Windows mobile (all platforms); n/a

Compatible with Android tablets and smartphones. Requires 4.4 and up. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.viatherapy.androidapp

Last updated (as per Google Play listing): August 13, 2019

Size

App Store listing: 11.9 MB

Google Play listing: 4.9 M; on phone: 5.55 MB                                        

App Developer

Wrote the code: Pivot Design Group

Wrote the content: Mark Bayley, MD, FRCPC,

Sarah Blanton, PT, DPT, NCS

Judith Deutsch PT PhD FAPTA  

Charlotte Häger

Debbie Hebert OT Reg. (Ont.) BSc(OT), MSc(Kin)

Gert Kwakkel, PT, PhD

Catherine E. Lang, PT, PhD  

Mindy F. Levin, PT, PhD
Marilyn MacKay-Lyons, BScPT, MScPT, PhD (Physiology)
Michelle N McDonnell, PT, PhD
Valerie Pomeroy

Carol L. Richards, O.C., Ph.D., PT, FCAHS
Nancy M. Salbach, BSc, BScPT, MSc, PhD Cathy Stinear, PhD
Robert Teasell, MD

Paulette van Vliet, BAppSc, MSc,, PhD

Carolee Winstein, Ph.D., PT, FAPTA, FAHA

Steven L. Wolf, Ph.D., PT, FAPTA, FAH

Country of Origin

Canada

Contact

lauren@pivotdesigngroup.com

https://pivot.design/

(listed in Google Play