Development of an Application to Assess Quality of Life

Abstract

Quality of life (QOL) is how the individual perceives himself as having an impact on his physical-emotional integrity, functional capacity, and self-esteem. Quality of life assessment tools can be generic or specific. Generics evaluate various aspects of quality of life and health status, and can be useful for patients, regardless of disease or condition, and can also be used for healthy individuals. The Medical questionnaire Outcomes Study 36 (SF-36) is one of the main instruments used to assess the health-related quality of life. This study aimed to develop the first application software (APP) for assessing the quality of life in Portuguese. This is an experimental study, of analytical, observational, and transversal nature that seeks associations or correlations between variables of interest. The application was developed on the Unity Engine to facilitate port for Android and its graphical interface. The Sarcvida app contemplates the SF-36 questionnaire and the SARC-F+CC. The application has undergone structural and functional tests and the next step is the evaluation of the app by health professionals. Sarcvida app is composed of SF-36 QOL questionnaire, SARC-F+CC, and D-score. The application proved to be functional, corresponding to initial research expectations for the project. The app presented usability and functionality for the evaluation of QOL in the tests to which it has been submitted so far. In Brazil there are no applications composed of SF-36 QOL questionnaire, SARC-F+CC, and the D-score, therefore, this study is innovative, presenting the first Portuguese version available in the app. Besides, mobile technology developed here is a tool to help monitor patients by contributing health professionals in possible interventions for health promotion.