Pzizz app

Pzizz app

  • An app for people having trouble sleeping.
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Pzizz app By Pzizz

Features

  • Audio sleep aid.
Clinical review 

Free version:

1 star review

Paid version:

3 star review


Read a clinical review, including safety concerns, below.

Security and privacy

Read more about safety and security when using apps.

Brochures:
Tips to improve your privacy and security [PDF, 65 KB] Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ
Staying safe online(external link) Netsafe, NZ

Cost Free for basic version
Annual or monthly fee for pro version

Learn more about app charges(external link)
How to get the app

This app has soundtracks designed to aid sleep in either a nap module (for a shorter daytime sleep) or sleep module (for a longer night-time sleep). These soundtracks change every day.The app plays a mixture of music, sound effects and a male voiceover. The different frequencies in the soundtrack are supposed to soothe and calm the brain - the app developers describe this as "binaural beats that induce theta brainwaves". The user can customise numerous settings including the length of the track, the volume of the soundtrack, the volume of the voice, turning off the voice, setting an alarm, and turning off phone notifications. In the pro version, users have access to more soundtracks including a 'focus' module, more app functions (such as choosing a female voice) and monthly updates.

For a more detailed description of the app, see Google Play(external link) or iTunes(external link) and for a detailed review, see reviews below.

Pzizz app screenshots

PROS CONS 

The app is based on research albeit limited.

✔ Wide selection of high quality audio tracks to help with sleep and focus.

✔ Voice-overs with scripts based on progressive relaxation and hypnosis. Choose from a female or male voice.

 Built in timer.

✔ Fairly frequent updated.

Large download size (wi-fi download preferrable).

 Fairly expensive for what you get (10 USD a month) and the free version is very limited.

✘ Evidence to support use of the app appears limited.

 Some of the voice-overs are based on neurolinguistic programming which is a psychological approach that has been discredited scientifically.

 You may need to use earbuds to get the most out of.

Clinical review

Free version:

1 star review

Paid version:

3 star review



Reviewer
Jeremy Steinberg, GP, FRNZCGP
Date of review: March 2018
Comments: This app is useful for people with insomnia who would like to try music and sound-assisted relaxation to improve their sleep. It is a collection of original audio tracks to help with sleep and focus and comes with a built-in timer. It has three sections: sleep, nap and focus.
The developers have attempted to base the app on sound and music-assisted research, and I applaud them for that, however after reading the studies myself I do feel that their claim of being “clinically proven to help you sleep” is overblown. This statement is based on a small limited study done in in 2008. Most glaringly it only assessed the effect of using it for napping and resulting well-being, and it only showed very small improvements in well-being. It did NOT assess whether people succeeded in napping. They compared pzizz it to “relaxation tracks” on iTunes and improvements were similar. 
Overall, I think it is a high quality app but feel it is a bit too expensive for what you get. I suspect that the effect on sleep will be quite variable from person to person. They do have a free trial, and it wouldn’t hurt to give it a go if you feel this is something that could be helpful for you. The free version is too limited to be of much use. 
Safety concerns: None.  


Tech review

The tech review relates to the technical aspects of the app, such as security, privacy, etc.

Reviewer: Unmesh Jyoti Nitin, PGDip Health Informatics
Date of review: March 2017
Security & Privacy: Privacy policy mentions that personal and transaction-related information such as credit card details will be automatically collected after downloading the app and subsequent registering. Information will not be shared with third parties except as required by law and trusted service providers. Users can stop the collection of information by uninstalling the app or contacting the developer on support@pzizz.com. 
Platform Support: Requires iOS 8.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Requires Android 4.0 and up. 
Performance: App is responsive and features are performing as designed.
Impact of app on battery: App doesn’t include online services and offers offline playback. Therefore, it won’t be expensive on data.
Data Sharing : Data can be shared on social media such as facebook and Twitter by the user.

Learn more

The following links provide more detailed information on the technical aspects of apps.

Understanding mobile apps Consumer Information(external link)(external link) Federal Trade Commission
Mobile health and fitness apps: What are the privacy risks?(external link)(external link) Privacy Rights Clearinghouse    

Koffel E, Kuhn E, Petsoulis N, et al. A randomized controlled pilot study of CBT-I Coach: Feasibility, acceptability, and potential impact of a mobile phone application for patients in cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia.(external link) Health Informatics J. 2016 Jun 27.
Kuhn E, Weiss BJ, Taylor KL, et al. CBT-I Coach: A Description and Clinician Perceptions of a Mobile App for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia.(external link) J Clin Sleep Med. 2016 Apr 15;12(4):597-606.
Ko PR, Kientz JA, Choe EK, et al. Consumer Sleep Technologies: A Review of the Landscape.(external link) J Clin Sleep Med. 2015 Dec 15;11(12):1455-61.

Disclaimer: The NZ Health App Library is a free consumer service to help you decide whether a health app would be suitable for you. Our review process is independent. We have no relationship with the app developers or companies and no responsibility for the service they provide. This means that if you have an issue with one of the apps we have reviewed, you will need to contact the app developer or company directly.

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