DelApp

2015

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

Classification

Domain-specific or adjunctive measureCognitive tests designed for delirium

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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.
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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

At a glance

Purpose: Domain-specific or adjunctive measure
Population: Adult
Setting: General / acute hospital
Time: ~1 min
Items: 2
Score or threshold: DelApp total score (ROC; threshold not reported in accessible abstract)

Format: The instrument records 2 scored items or observations. This site classifies it under domain-specific or adjunctive measure and cognitive tests designed for delirium. It is intended for adult use in General / acute hospital. The stated administration time is ~1 min. The published result is recorded using DelApp total score (ROC; threshold not reported in accessible abstract).

Evidence

Evidence maturityMultiple DTA studies identified

Reported metric context

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 studies: 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

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Information checked: 2026-07-19

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Sources checked 2026-07-29. How profiles are prepared.