Mobile apps for multiple sclerosis: a focus on self-management (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zeinab Salimzadeh ◽  
Shahla Damanabi ◽  
Leila Ranandeh Kalankesh ◽  
Reza Ferdousi
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Chronic Illnesses ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Online Application ◽  
Personal Level ◽  
Google Play ◽  
Disseminated Sclerosis

BACKGROUND The explosion of mobile phone users along with the importance of user’s role in managing their health provides a unique opportunity for mHealth applications in the management of chronic illnesses such as multiple sclerosis. OBJECTIVE To identify available MS applications and to characterize the content of MS self-management apps. METHODS Two popular online application stores (iTunes, Google play) were searched for multiple sclerosis-related apps using the following keywords: multiple sclerosis, disseminated multiple sclerosis, disseminated sclerosis, and MS. Apps were considered eligible if they had been customized only on multiple sclerosis. First, data were extracted from the description page for any eligible app. To achieve the study goal, the secondary analysis was performed only for self-management apps. RESULTS The search of two popular markets was identified 1042 applications (747 apps from google play, 295 apps from iTunes). Of these, 104 unique apps met the inclusion criteria. Almost a quarter of eligible applications (26%) had been designed for multiple sclerosis self-management. Other purposes of the identified apps were diagnosis & treatments (7.7%), doing tests (7.7%), connecting & communication for MS patients (4.8%), raise awareness of multiple sclerosis (15.4%), access to journals & news (6.7%), conferences & meetings (17.3%), supporting & donating to MS community (14. 4%). CONCLUSIONS It appears the mobile apps provide a multidimensional tool for the patient with Multiple Sclerosis to improve self-management. These apps can contribute to the empowerment of the patients, and help their adherence to the therapeutic and management regimen of their conditions. Moreover, they can facilitate information gathering of the MS progress pattern on a personal level for each individual patient. This information may provide health care professionals with evidence for helping their patients to enhance self-management of their disease.

scholarly journals Young People�s, Parents�, and Professionals� Views on Required Components of Mobile Apps to Support Self-Management of Juvenile Arthritis: Qualitative Study (Preprint)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer M Waite-Jones ◽  
Rabiya Majeed-Ariss ◽  
Joanna Smith ◽  
Simon R Stones ◽  
Vanessa Van Rooyen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Young People ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Developmentally Appropriate ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Juvenile Arthritis ◽  
Mobile Technologies ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Framework Approach

BACKGROUND There is growing evidence that supporting self-management of Juvenile Arthritis can benefit both patients and professionals. Young people with Juvenile Arthritis and their healthy peers increasingly use mobile technologies to access information and support in day-to-day life. Therefore, a user-led, rigorously developed and evaluated mobile app could be valuable for facilitating young people’s self-management of Juvenile Arthritis. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to seek the views of young people with Juvenile Arthritis, their parents or carers, and health care professionals (HCPs) as to what should be included in a mobile app to facilitate young people’s self-management of chronic Juvenile Arthritis. METHODS A qualitative approach was adopted with a purposeful sample of 9 young people aged 10-18 years with Juvenile Arthritis, 8 parents or carers, and 8 HCPs involved in their care. Data were gathered through semi-structured focus group and individual interviews with young people and their parents or carers and HCPs. Interview discussion was facilitated through demonstration of four existing health apps to explore participants’ views on strengths and limitations of these, barriers and facilitators to mobile app use, preferred designs, functionality, levels of interaction, and data sharing arrangements. Data were analyzed using the framework approach. RESULTS Analysis revealed three interlinked, overarching themes: (1) purpose, (2) components and content, and (3) social support. Despite some differences in emphasis on essential content, general agreement was found between young people with Juvenile Arthritis their parents or carers, and professionals that a mobile app to aid self-management would be useful. Underpinning the themes was a prerequisite that young people are enabled to feel a sense of ownership and control of the app, and that it be an interactive, engaging resource that offers developmentally appropriate information and reminders, as well as enabling them to monitor their symptoms and access social support. CONCLUSIONS Findings justify and pave the way for a future feasibility study into the production and preliminary testing of such an app. This would consider issues such as compatibility with existing technologies, costs, age, and cross-gender appeal as well as resource implications.

scholarly journals User Needs in the Development of a Health App Ecosystem for Self-Management of Cystic Fibrosis: User-Centered Development Approach (Preprint)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Floch ◽  
Annabel Zettl ◽  
Lena Fricke ◽  
Tina Weisser ◽  
Lisbet Grut ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Self Management ◽  
User Needs ◽  
User Requirements ◽  
Care Services ◽  
User Centered Development ◽  
User Centered

BACKGROUND Digital self-management in cystic fibrosis (CF) is foreseen as a means toward better understanding of the disease and its treatment and better adherence to the treatment. Mobile apps hold the potential to provide access to information, motivate, and strengthen compliance. However, to deliver high-quality apps, the development should be based on thorough knowledge about user needs. Empirical research on the user-centered development of mobile apps for health care is, however, still limited. OBJECTIVE The aim of this research is to develop and evaluate an app ecosystem for self-management in CF. It targets not only those directly affected by CF but also parents and health care professionals involved in the treatment. This paper covers the first step of the design process that aims to analyze the context and the user requirements. The primary research question is as follows: what digital support has the potential to usefully support persons with CF and their caregivers in the CF care? To answer this question, we address two preliminary questions: what important factors in everyday life affect the care of persons with CF? and how is the CF care delivered today and what are the limitations of CF care services? METHODS The overall research adopts a user-centered design approach in which future users are involved in the development process from the very beginning to ensure that the apps developed best suit the potential users. The research presented in the paper follows an interpretative case study research strategy seeking to understand the concerns and needs of persons with CF and their caregivers. Data were collected through semistructured qualitative interviews involving 74 participants in seven European countries and from internet forums. RESULTS The results of the analysis phase show a strong need for individuality of the digital support, as well as for its adaptability to different contexts. The paper presents the concerns and needs of the participants in the study and extracts a set of relevant features for a self-management app ecosystem. Education, enzyme dosage calculation, nutrition management, treatment organization, health diary, treatment follow-up, practical guidelines for treatment, communication with doctors, and communication with peers are foreseen as useful features. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate the readiness for self-management in the CF care even in countries that provide well-functioning health care services for CF care. The large diversity of user requirements identified reflects the crucial role user integration plays in developing apps for a chronic condition such as CF. The need for personalization stemming from the individuality of the patients and the need for communication with health care professionals support the idea of an app ecosystem for the self-management of CF.

Use of mobile applications in heart failure self-management: a qualitative study of patients’ and primary care clinicians’ perspectives (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leticia Bezerra ◽  
Rimante Ronto ◽  
Josephine Y Chau ◽  
Clara Chow ◽  
Liliana Laranjo
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Patient Reported

BACKGROUND Heart failure is one of the leading causes of hospitalisation, morbidity, and mortality in the world. Heart failure self-management is challenging and involves a set of self-care behaviours required to reduce the risk of deterioration, identify signs and symptoms of exacerbation, and avoid hospitalisation. Mobile applications (apps) have the potential to facilitate heart failure self-management tasks. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore patients’ and clinicians’ perspectives on the facilitators and barriers to using mobile applications, as well as desired features, to support heart failure self-management. METHODS Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted in a general practice clinic in Sydney. Eligible participants were adult heart failure patients and health care professionals who provided care to these patients at the clinic. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic data analysis in NVivo 12. RESULTS Twelve participants were interviewed: six patients (mean age 69±7.9 years) and six clinicians. The main facilitators to the use of apps to support heart failure self-management included the ability for communication between clinicians and patients, personalized feedback and education, and automated self-monitoring. Other desired features included facilitated monitoring of patient-reported measures and mental health tools. Main barriers were related to patients’ digital literacy. CONCLUSIONS The use of mobile apps to support heart failure self-management can be facilitated by several features identified in this study. Future research should consider these features in the co-design and testing of heart failure mobile apps with patients and clinicians.

scholarly journals Impact of Comorbidity on Fatigue Management Intervention Outcomes Among People with Multiple Sclerosis

2013 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcia Finlayson ◽  
Katharine Preissner ◽  
Chi Cho
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Management Education ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Comorbid Condition ◽  
Management Intervention ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Over Time

This exploratory secondary analysis examined whether the presence of six chronic health conditions moderated the effectiveness of a teleconference-delivered fatigue self-management education program for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The longitudinal data used were from a randomized controlled trial involving 181 community-dwelling adults with MS. The primary outcome was fatigue impact, as measured by the Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS). Mixed-effects analysis of variance (ANOVA) models were used to determine the best-fitting model. Just under 65% (n = 112) of participants had at least one comorbid condition. Only diabetes and arthritis moderated all three FIS subscales over time. People with diabetes were slower to show improvement after intervention than people without diabetes. People with arthritis made much more dramatic initial gains compared with people without arthritis but had difficulty maintaining those gains over time. The results point to the need for greater attention to the impact of comorbidities on rehabilitation interventions. These exploratory findings suggest that fatigue self-management education protocols may need to be customized to people who are trying to incorporate MS fatigue self-management behaviors while simultaneously managing diabetes or arthritis.

Mobile Applications for Health Management of Older Adults: A Scoping Review (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nurul Asilah Ahmad ◽  
Shahrul Azman Mohd Noah ◽  
Arimi Fitri Mat Ludin ◽  
Suzana Shahar ◽  
Noorlaili Mohd Tohit
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Goal Setting ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Personalized Feedback ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
App Store ◽  
Evidenced Based ◽  
Google Play

BACKGROUND Currently, the use of smartphones to deliver health-related content has experienced a rapid growth, with more than 165,000 mobile health (mHealth) applications currently available in the digital marketplace such as iOS store and Google Play. Among these, there are several mobile applications (mobile apps) that offer tools for disease prevention and management among older generations. These mobile apps could potentially promote health behaviors which will reduce or delay the onset of disease. However, no review to date that has focused on the app marketplace specific for older adults and little is known regarding its evidence-based quality towards the health of older adults. OBJECTIVE The aim of this review was to characterize and critically appraise the content and functionality of mobile apps that focuses on health management and/or healthy lifestyle among older adults. METHODS An electronic search was conducted between May 2019 to December 2019 of the official app store for two major smartphone operating systems: iPhone operating system (iTunes App Store) and Android (Google Play Store). Stores were searched separately using predetermined search terms. Two authors screened apps based on information provided in the app description. Metadata from all included apps were abstracted into a standard assessment criteria form. Evidenced based strategies and health care expert involvement of included apps was assessed. Evidenced based strategies included: self-monitoring, goal setting, physical activity support, healthy eating support, weight and/or health assessment, personalized feedback, motivational strategies, cognitive training and social support. Two authors verified the data with reference to the apps and downloaded app themselves. RESULTS A total of 16 apps met the inclusion criteria. Six out of 16 (37.5%) apps were designed exclusively for the iOS platform while ten out of 16 (62.5%) were designed for Android platform exclusively. Physical activity component was the most common feature offered in all the apps (9/16, 56.3%) and followed by cognitive training (8/16, 50.0%). Diet/nutrition (0/16, 0%) feature, however, was not offered on all reviewed mobile apps. Of reviewed apps, 56.3% (9/16) provide education, 37.5% (6/16) provide self-monitoring features, 18.8% (3/16) provide goal setting features, 18.5% (3/16) provide personalized feedback, 6.3% (1/16) provide social support and none of the reviewed apps offers heart rate monitoring and reminder features to the users. CONCLUSIONS All reviewed mobile apps for older adults in managing health did not focused on diet/nutrition component, lack of functional components and lack of health care professional involvement in their development process. There is also a need to carry out scientific testing prior to the development of the app to ensure cost effective and its health benefits to older adults. Collaborative efforts between developers, researchers, health professionals and patients are needed in developing evidence-based, high quality mobile apps in managing health prior they are made available in the app store.

Evaluation of Persian language epilepsy-related mobile apps: A systematic review and quality assessment with a focus on content (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mina Zibaei ◽  
Reza Khajouei
Keyword(s):  
Information Quality ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Keywords Epilepsy ◽  
Limited Health Literacy ◽  
Persian Language ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Limited Health ◽  
Google Play

BACKGROUND In Iran, around 0.05 of population suffer from epilepsy. Poorer health outcomes stem from limited health literacy. The use of mHealth, especially for educating patients in terms of self-care can be very effective. But the important thing is the content that is presented by apps, especially when unreliable or biased information can negatively affect the patient-doctor relationship, causing anxiety or stress. Also, usability of mHealth apps and their impact on behavior change are the other important issues that should be considered. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to assess the quality of Persian language epilepsy-related mobile applications in terms of functionality and quality with a focus on content. METHODS The Persian equivalent of the keywords 'epilepsy' and 'seizure' were searched in the Google Play, Cafe Bazaar and IranApps app stores and the Persian language applications about epilepsy were extracted. These apps were evaluated by two trained reviewers independently using the uMARS scale and DISCERN instrument. Also apps’ prices and the number of installations were assessed. RESULTS A total of 659 applications were retrieved, 78 of which were epilepsy-related. After exclusion of non-Persian language and duplicate apps, there remained 11 relevant apps. The overall mean uMARS score was 2.8 out of 5 while six out of 11 apps (54%) scored higher than 3. The mean figures for the section-specific scores were as follows: engagement 2.2, functionality 4.0, aesthetics 3.3, and information 2.3. The overall DISCERN scores ranged from 26 to 40 out of 80, while the mean score was 34.5. The mean score of reliability was 18.5. CONCLUSIONS This study showed that the overall information quality of the epilepsy apps is poor. The most important missing characteristics of these apps include lack of functionalities for self-care, missing entry date, lack of details about additional sources and inexistence of the risks/benefits of each treatment. The findings suggest that more efforts should be made to develop evidence-based epilepsy-related apps to cover broader domains of self-care and behavioral change techniques.

scholarly journals Mobile apps for self-management in pregnancy: a systematic review

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 283-294
Author(s):  
Gloria Ejehiohen Iyawa ◽  
Aliyu Rabiu Dansharif ◽  
Asiya Khan
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Self Management ◽  
In Pregnancy

Promoting self-management of multiple sclerosis in primary care

2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 32-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenna Litchfield ◽  
Sue Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Self Management

scholarly journals A first look at Android applications in Google Play related to COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordan Samhi ◽  
Kevin Allix ◽  
Tegawendé F. Bissyandé ◽  
Jacques Klein
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Location Tracking ◽  
Response Effort ◽  
Sensitive Data ◽  
Android Apps ◽  
Digital World ◽  
Public Health Organizations ◽  
Android Applications ◽  
Google Play

AbstractDue to the convenience of access-on-demand to information and business solutions, mobile apps have become an important asset in the digital world. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, app developers have joined the response effort in various ways by releasing apps that target different user bases (e.g., all citizens or journalists), offer different services (e.g., location tracking or diagnostic-aid), provide generic or specialized information, etc. While many apps have raised some concerns by spreading misinformation or even malware, the literature does not yet provide a clear landscape of the different apps that were developed. In this study, we focus on the Android ecosystem and investigate Covid-related Android apps. In a best-effort scenario, we attempt to systematically identify all relevant apps and study their characteristics with the objective to provide a first taxonomy of Covid-related apps, broadening the relevance beyond the implementation of contact tracing. Overall, our study yields a number of empirical insights that contribute to enlarge the knowledge on Covid-related apps: (1) Developer communities contributed rapidly to the COVID-19, with dedicated apps released as early as January 2020; (2) Covid-related apps deliver digital tools to users (e.g., health diaries), serve to broadcast information to users (e.g., spread statistics), and collect data from users (e.g., for tracing); (3) Covid-related apps are less complex than standard apps; (4) they generally do not seem to leak sensitive data; (5) in the majority of cases, Covid-related apps are released by entities with past experience on the market, mostly official government entities or public health organizations.

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