A Mobile Application to Reduce Death Anxiety During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Design of a High-fidelity Prototype

The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on individuals, organizations, and society. One consequence of this crisis was an increase in death anxiety among both the general population and patients. Anxiety disorders, including death anxiety, can be effectively treated using exposure therapy, which is a well-established method. To further support medical practitioners, developing mobile-based applications and content that focus on this treatment approach would be beneficial. With this in mind, the objective of the present study was to develop a prototype for a proposed mobile application aimed at alleviating the burden of COVID-19 death anxiety. Our research adopts a structured approach grounded in the five essential phases of high-fidelity prototype design. These methodological steps are as follows: 1) Goal Definition, involving meticulous planning and explicit delineation of the primary purpose, alongside identifying materials utilized in the prototype. 2) User Interface Design, entailing the creation of diverse interface designs to discern and select the optimal design. 3) Adding Interactions, incorporating interactive elements such as clicking, dragging, scrolling, and user input into the prototype. 4) Testing and Evaluation, comprising prototype evaluation and systematic feedback collection. 5) Iteration and Improvement, where the prototype undergoes refinement based on the conclusive feedback garnered during the evaluation phase, aiming to attain the desired prototype. This methodological framework ensures a comprehensive and systematic approach to the development and enhancement of our high-fidelity prototype. In the current challenging time of the COVID-19 pandemic, the identified criteria for content production and the proposed prototype serve as valuable resources for software designers aiming to design and develop suitable applications to alleviate anxiety related to COVID-19 death. By following these criteria and utilizing the prototype as a guide, software designers can create applications that effectively address the anxieties and concerns of individuals during this difficult period.