Sensation Mapping and Reporting Tool
You are on the official site for the Sensation Mapping and Reporting Tool, or SMaRT for short, a specialized scientific research software designed to provide a comprehensive and innovative platform for mapping and documenting human sensations.
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If you have come across SMaRT in the scientific literature, we would like to point out that this app was also referred to in previous studies under the names "SensationMapper" and "SymptomMapper".
What is SMaRT?
What is it used for?
SMaRT is a scientific app for Android-based tablet PCs. It is used to objectively document physical or bodily sensations, such as tingling, fullness, warmth, etc. with the help of a digitally annotated body outline.
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Users mark the quality, location, extent and intensity of the sensation in the body outline. This information is stored locally on the mobile device and can be exported by the user as desired.
Scientific applications
A precursor version of SMaRT was validated under the name "SymptomMapper" in the following publication:
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Neubert T, et al. "Designing a Tablet- Based Software App for Mapping Bodily Symptoms: Usability Evaluation and Reproducibility Analysis." Journal of Medical Internet Research Mhealth Uhealth. 2018;6(5):e127. DOI:10.2196/mhealth.8409
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In addition, different versions of the app have been used in different scientific contexts, as shown in the following publications:
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Manuel J, et al. "Traumatic events, post -traumatic stress disorder, and central sensitization in chronic pain patients." Psychosomatic Medicine, 2023, 85(4), 351. DOI: 10.1097/PSY.0000000000001181
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Shaballout N, et al. "Lateralization and Bodily Patterns of Segmental Signs and Spontaneous Pain in Acute Visceral Disease: Observational Study." Journal of Medical Internet Research, 2021;23(8):e27247. DOI: 10.2196/27247
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Ellingsen DM, et al. "A picture is worth a thousand words: linking fibromyalgia pain widespreadness from digital pain drawings with pain catastrophizing and brain cross-network connectivity." Paine, 2021; 162(5), 1352-1363. DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002134
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Shaballout N, et al. "Digital Pain Drawings Can Improve Doctors' Understanding of Acute Pain Patients: Survey and Pain Drawing Analysis." Journal of Medical Internet Research Mhealth Uhealth 2019;7(1):e11412. DOI:10.2196/11412
Hanover Body Template
SMaRT uses the Hannover Body Template to display the sensation drawings. This free set of body outlines is designed to cover as much body surface as possible in four different views.
The template is based on a photo of a real person and is available in a female, a male and a gender-neutral version, which differ only minimally from each other to enable comparison.
Copyright, License, Privacy Policy
Copyright
The current version of SMaRT was developed by the Insula Institute (Florian Beissner) in cooperation with the University of Bielefeld (Evgenii Pustozerov). Previous versions ("SensationMapper", "SymptomMapper") have been developed further and modified since 2014 at the Hannover Medical School by Tawfik Moher Alsady, Florian Beissner, Till-Ansgar Neubert and Jorge Manuel Sánchez.
License
The source code of SMaRT is licensed under the GNU General Public License version 3 (GPLv3) . This means that you can freely use, modify and distribute the software provided you comply with the terms of the GPLv3. This includes, among other things, the obligation to release modified versions of the software under the same license.
data protection
SMaRT can generally be used without providing personal data. However, when you start the app, you will be asked to provide a name or pseudonym. Drawings and associated information on quality, intensity and location are only saved locally on your device. No data is transferred to external servers or passed on to third parties. Access to this data is protected by a password you specify. Please note that the data is not deleted automatically, but you can manually remove it from your device at any time.
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Disclaimer
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The SMaRT app is not a medical device. Its purpose is not to be used for medical diagnostic or therapeutic purposes within the meaning of the Medical Devices Act (MPDG) or to serve as a basis for medical decisions.
The app neither collates data nor performs calculations based on it. The data is only stored locally on the user's mobile device. The app data is not stored on a secondary server at the institute.
Download and source code
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Source-Code
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Do you want to adapt the app to your own needs, do you want to see the source code or are you interested in the further development of SMaRT? The following link takes you directly to our software repository.
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What is the SMaRT app?SMaRT is a scientific app for Android-based tablet PCs. It is used to objectively document physical or bodily sensations, such as tingling, fullness, warmth, etc. with the help of a digitally annotated body outline. ​ Users mark the quality, location, extent and intensity of the sensation in the body outline. This information is stored locally on the mobile device and can be exported by the user as desired. The following video briefly demonstrates the basic functionalities:
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How can I use the SMaRT app?The SMaRT app can be used free of charge and is available to both private individuals and organisations. All we ask is that you provide brief information about yourself and your organisation. The source code of SMaRT is also free for you to use and is licensed under the GNU General Public Licence Version 3 (GPLv3). This means that you are free to use, modify and redistribute the software as long as you comply with the terms of the GPLv3, including the obligation to publish modified versions under the same licence. More about this under the tab "Software", or via this link.
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What are the technical requirements for using the SMaRT app?The SMaRT app can be used with current Android devices with pen input and is backwards compatible up to Android 8.0 (Android SDK 26). Please note that only active (electronic) styluses can be recognized and used by the software.