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DelApp

2015

Smartphone application providing a graded, objective test of arousal and attention (derived from the Edinburgh Delirium Test Box).

At a glance

Purpose
Domain-specific or adjunctive measure
Population
Adult
Setting
General / acute hospital
Time
generally under 5 min for the complete assessment in the 2015 report
Parts
2: arousal and attention
Score or threshold
DelApp total score (ROC; threshold not reported in accessible abstract)

Format: The smartphone assessment has an arousal section and graded sustained-attention trials. In the 2015 version, the combined score ranges from 0 to 10. Two refers to the main parts, not two simple questions. A screenshot of the task does not reproduce the functioning application.

Primary validation papers

3 identified diagnostic-accuracy papers

Other forms of validation are described in the evidence section. What is counted?

Large-scale clinical implementation

Not yet reviewed.

A focused implementation review has not yet been completed for this profile.

Training and instructions

Public training resources have not yet been confirmed in this review. Check the linked developer or original source for instructions.

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Tool and original sources

This record describes a method rather than a downloadable bedside form. The main source is linked below.

Original and selected diagnostic-accuracy papers

  • Original paperTieges Z, Stíobhairt A, Scott K, Suchorab K, Weir A, Parks S, et al. Development of a smartphone application for the objective detection of attentional deficits in delirium. International psychogeriatrics. 2015;27(8):1251-62. doi: 10.1017/S1041610215000186. PMID: 25742756.

    This is the original published source for DelApp. It is the main source for the method, its intended use and the evidence available at publication.

    Open PubMed ↗
  • Selected diagnostic-accuracy studyTieges Z, Stott DJ, Shaw R, Tang E, Rutter LM, Nouzova E, et al. A smartphone-based test for the assessment of attention deficits in delirium: A case-control diagnostic test accuracy study in older hospitalised patients. PloS one. 2020;15(1):e0227471. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227471. PMID: 31978127.

    This diagnostic-accuracy study evaluated DelApp in older hospital inpatient case-control diagnostic-accuracy study against a DSM-5 clinical assessment. It reported sensitivity of 91.7% and specificity of 74.2% in 187 older inpatients: 61 delirium, 61 dementia without delirium, 65 unimpaired.

    Open PubMed ↗Download article PDF ↓

    Article PDF: CC BY. This licence applies to the article PDF and does not grant rights to reproduce the tool.

  • Selected diagnostic-accuracy studyPaddick SM, Gamassa E, Mwaluwinga N, Lewis G, Duinmaijer A, Urasa S, et al. Preliminary evaluation of a smartphone application (DelApp) for identification of delirium in sub-Saharan Africa. Acta neuropsychiatrica. 2023;37:e25. doi: 10.1017/neu.2023.29. PMID: 37345466.

    This diagnostic-accuracy study evaluated DelApp in tertiary referral hospital in northern Tanzania against a DSM-5 clinical assessment. It reported sensitivity of 87% and specificity of 62% in 66 older medical inpatients; 15 had delirium.

    Open PubMed ↗Download article PDF ↓

    Article PDF: CC BY. This licence applies to the article PDF and does not grant rights to reproduce the tool.

Multiple DTA studies identifiedCore instrument family
Classification

Classification

Domain-specific or adjunctive measureCognitive tests designed for delirium

A tool may belong to more than one category. Select a linked category to see other relevant profiles.

Evidence

Diagnostic-accuracy evidenceMultiple DTA studies identified

Reported sensitivity and specificity

;
Sensitivity
;
Specificity

AUC 0.93 (delirium vs dementia); 0.99 (delirium vs controls). n=156.

More evidence and citation details
Full name
DelApp
Also known as
Edinburgh delirium app
Related profiles
DelApp-ICU, DelBox
Evidence summary
multi
Diagnostic-accuracy evaluations
3
Reference standard
Confusion Assessment Method and Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98 delirium assessments
Citation
Tieges Z, Stíobhairt A, Scott K, Suchorab K, Weir A, Parks S, Shenkin S, MacLullich A Development of a smartphone application for the objective detection of attentional deficits in delirium International psychogeriatrics. 2015;27(8):1251-62. PMID 25742756
Download RIS ↗ Download BibTeX ↗

Primary validation studies

Distinct primary publications from the current diagnostic-accuracy audit. Reviews and repeated evaluations within one paper are not counted again. Overlapping cohorts have not all been reconciled. Read the counting rules and limitations.

Open 3 identified papers
  1. Tieges Z, Stíobhairt A, Scott K, Suchorab K, Weir A, Parks S, Shenkin S, MacLullich A (2015). Development of a smartphone application for the objective detection of attentional deficits in delirium. International psychogeriatrics.

    Reference category: other comparator or secondary accuracy evidence.

  2. Tieges Z, Stott DJ, Shaw R, Tang E, Rutter LM, Nouzova E, Duncan N, Clarke C, Weir CJ, Assi V, Ensor H, Barnett JH, Evans J, Green S, Hendry K, Thomson M, McKeever J, Middleton DG, Parks S, Walsh T, Weir AJ, Wilson E, Quasim T, MacLullich AMJ (2020). A smartphone-based test for the assessment of attention deficits in delirium: A case-control diagnostic test accuracy study in older hospitalised patients. PloS one.

    Reference category: independent clinical reference.

  3. Paddick SM, Gamassa E, Mwaluwinga N, Lewis G, Duinmaijer A, Urasa S, Tucker L, Mukaetova-Ladinska EB, Cosker G, Dekker M, Kisoli A, Cletus J, Lissu C, Dotchin C, Gray WK, Walker R (2023). Preliminary evaluation of a smartphone application (DelApp) for identification of delirium in sub-Saharan Africa. Acta neuropsychiatrica.

    Reference category: independent clinical reference.

Copyright and reuse
Information checked
2026-07-19

Instrument-specific terms apply. See the access and copyright policy or send a correction.

Base clinical review: 2026-07-29. Instrument description source check: 2026-09-05. Scope and limitations.