iMTracker

Functionality & Mechanism

Developed at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, iMTracker is a self-management tool leveraging an N-of-1 trial framework. The interface allows for the selection of a recurring health outcome (e.g., headache) and potential correlating lifestyle variables (e.g., caffeine intake, exercise). The system requires a minimum of three days of data input, after which it calculates and displays a Phi statistic to quantify the association between selected variables and the outcome. All data is processed and stored locally.

Evidence & Research Context

• A preliminary pilot study (N=180) assessed the feasibility of the app for the self-management of chronic recurrent medical conditions (CRMCs).
• The study demonstrated reasonable adoption, with 70.9% of participants who completed follow-up reporting use of the app for the full three-month period.
• Participants most frequently utilized the app to track chronic pain (37.7%), headaches (17.0%), and mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression (12.8%).
• The authors concluded the N-of-1 framework is a feasible approach for self-management, though technical design was identified as a primary barrier to use.

Intended Use & Scope

The application is intended for individuals to conduct personal N-of-1 analyses of lifestyle factors and health outcomes. Its primary utility is to facilitate the identification of potential correlations for personal insight. The tool is not a substitute for clinical diagnosis or medical treatment; users must consult a physician before making any changes to their lifestyle or health regimen.