A Review of Mobile Apps for Improving Quality of Life of Asthmatic and People with Allergies

2015 ◽  
pp. 51-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel A. Mateo Pla ◽  
Lenin G. Lemus-Zúñiga ◽  
José-Miguel Montañana ◽  
Julio Pons ◽  
Arnulfo Alanis Garza
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mobile Apps

scholarly journals The Effect of Health Education via Mobile Apps in Promoting Asthma Health Related Quality of Life Among Asthmatic School Children in Urban Malaysia.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulaziz Mansoor Al Raimi ◽  
Chan Mei Chong ◽  
Li Yoong Tang ◽  
Yan Piaw Chua ◽  
Latifa Yahya Al Ajeel
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
And Control

Abstract Objectives: The objective of study to assess the effect of health education via mobile applications in promoting health-related quality of life among schoolchildren with asthma in urban Malaysia. Methods: A Quasi-experimental with two-group pre- and post-intervention design was used in this study involving a total of 214 students. The students were randomly assigned into two groups (intervention group and control group) in a pre and post intervention approach. The control group received face to face education and the experimental group had health education via mobile apps.Results: The findings showed that the total score of health related quality of life has improvement in the mean total score of health-related quality of life from pre-intervention (5.31±1.27) to post-intervention (5.66±1.28) for the control group, compared with the experimental group with a mean total score of HRQoL at pre-intervention (5.01±1.36) and post-intervention (5.85±1.29). A comparison between the experimental and control groups using an independent t-test showed statistically significant differences in the mean HRQoL scores of asthma between the experimental and control groups. The effect of health education via mobile applications showed statistically significant improvement pre and post intervention in HRQoL score [F (1,288) = 57.46, p = <0.01].Conclusion: The use of mobile technology in health education improved HRQoL as compared of traditional method of face-to-face lecture or handbooks among school children with asthma. Thus, educational module using mobile apps improves HRQoL. Trial registration: This study was registered under the Medical Research Committee, University Malaya Medical Centre, Malaysia under Trial MRECID. NO: 2016112-4501, Also, this study is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) under Trial ID: ACTRN12614300582550

scholarly journals Holistic Reasoning on Quality of Life Dimensions Based on Mobile apps with Ontology

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabela Cavaco ◽  
Clauirton Siebra
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Holistic Process ◽  
Ontological Model

To integrate the information about diverse QoL dimensions and enable the specification of a holistic process of reasoning that can improve the effectiveness of interventions, we explore the integration of different QoL aspects in the form of an ontological model, presenting associations between their concepts that should be considered together when inferences are made, since they are usually intrinsically related and would not be complete when separately analysed. These dimensions will be studied from a selected bundle of iOS and Android mobile apps within QoL aspects of Diet, Emotional,

scholarly journals Mobile App Delivery of the EORTC QLQ-C30 Questionnaire to Assess Health-Related Quality of Life in Oncological Patients: Usability Study (Preprint)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerstin A Kessel ◽  
Marco M E Vogel ◽  
Anna Alles ◽  
Sophie Dobiasch ◽  
Hanna Fischer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Usability Study ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Hrqol Questionnaire ◽  
Oncological Patients ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Hrqol Assessment

BACKGROUND Mobile apps are evolving in the medical field. However, ongoing discussions have questioned whether such apps are really valuable and whether patients will accept their use in day-to-day clinical life. Therefore, we initiated a usability study in our department. OBJECTIVE We present our results of the first app prototype and patient testing of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) assessment in oncological patients. METHODS We developed an app prototype for the iOS operating system within eight months in three phases: conception, initial development, and pilot testing. For the HRQoL assessment, we chose to implement only the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (QLQ-C30; German version 3). Usability testing was conducted for three months. Participation was voluntary and pseudonymized. After completion of the QLQ-C30 questionnaire using iPads provided by our department, we performed a short survey with 10 questions. This survey inquired about patients’ opinions regarding general aspects, including technical advances in medicine, mobile and app assistance during cancer treatment, and the app-specific functions (eg, interface and navigation). RESULTS After logging into the app, the user can choose between starting a questionnaire, reviewing answers (administrators only), and logging out. The questionnaire is displayed with the same information, questions, and answers as on the original QLQ-C30 sheet. No alterations in wording were made. Usability was tested with 81 patients; median age was 55 years. The median time for completing the HRQoL questionnaire on the iPad was 4.0 minutes. Of all participants, 84% (68/81) owned a mobile device. Similarly, 84% (68/81) of participants would prefer a mobile version of the HRQoL questionnaire instead of a paper-based version. Using the app in daily life during and after cancer treatment would be supported by 83% (67/81) of participants. In the prototype version of the app, data were stored on the device; in the future, 79% (64/81) of the patients would agree to transfer data via the Internet. CONCLUSIONS Our usability test showed good results regarding attractiveness, operability, and understandability. Moreover, our results demonstrate a high overall acceptance of mobile apps and telemedicine in oncology. The HRQoL assessment via the app was accepted thoroughly by patients, and individuals are keen to use it in clinical routines, while data privacy and security must be ensured.

Virtual Healthcare Solutions for Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Literature Review (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keni Lee ◽  
Boris Breznen ◽  
Anastasia Ukhova ◽  
Friedrich Koehler ◽  
Seth S Martin
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Cardiac Rehabilitation ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Functional Capacity ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Wide Range

BACKGROUND In patients with cardiovascular disease, adherence to cardiac rehabilitation (CR) following a primary event has been demonstrated to improve overall health and quality of life, increase functional capacity, and decrease hospitalizations and mortality. Despite strong guideline recommendations, underutilization of CR remains a challenging problem in cardiovascular medicine, especially in underserved populations, who already have poorer health outcomes across a wide range of indicators. With the advent of new technologies such as wearable activity monitors (WAMs) or mobile apps running in smartphones and tablets (mHealth), healthcare professionals and researchers have looked at incorporating these and related technologies into novel home-based virtual CR programs to improve uptake and participation. OBJECTIVE This literature review summarizes the current state of the art in use of mHealth, WAMs, and other multi-component technologies deployed in support of home-based virtual CR. METHODS The methodology for this literature review was adapted from published guidance on methods for systematic literature reviews by Cochrane (Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions). Results were reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline. RESULTS The search identified a total of 2,094 records, of which 113 were eligible for qualitative analysis. A wide variety of virtual CR solutions were implemented in the 113 included studies, (1) multi-component interventions with multiple technologies integrated into a comprehensive CR solution in 48 studies (42.5%), (2) WAMs (e.g., Fitbit, Actigraph, Apple wristwatch) in 27 studies (23.9%), (3) web-based communications solutions and (4) mobile apps running on smartphones and tablets (mHealth), both in 19 studies (16.4%). Functional capacity was the most frequently reported aggregate primary outcome category (k=37, 32.7%), followed by user adherence/compliance (k=35, 31.0%), physical activity (k=27, 23.9%), and quality of life (k=14, 12.4%). Studies included in this review provided an overall mixed assessment of the efficacy of virtual CR in either attaining significant improvements over baseline, or in attaining significant improvements in outcomes compared with conventional hospital-based cardiac rehabilitation. Less than half of the included studies—47 out of 113 (41.6%)—reported a significant result for a primary outcome. A total of sixteen studies reported significant between-group improvements in primary outcomes of virtual CR vs. usual hospital-based CR; nine of these were studies utilizing multi-component interventions, six used mHealth and one reported on use of WAMs. CONCLUSIONS Efficacy outcomes with virtual CR sometimes, but not always, improve on the center-based CR outcomes, however, superior clinical efficacy may not necessarily be the only outcome of interest. The promise of virtual CR includes the potential for increased user adherence and longer-term patient engagement. If virtual CR solutions can improve adherence/compliance of cardiac patients, that would be a significant justification for using this technology.

The Appification of Literacy

2016 ◽  
pp. 417-436
Author(s):  
David Gerard O'Brien ◽  
Megan McDonald Van Deventer
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Educational Policy ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Portable Devices ◽  
Web Based ◽  
The Us ◽  
Rapid Transition

Appification represents the rapid movement of digital tools and media from a Web-based platform to mobile apps. While appification makes the former Web-based tools and apps more accessible, and improves users' quality of life, it also undermines traditional literacy skills and practices associated with print literacies. After defining appification and presenting examples, the chapter explores how appification impacts literacy in the broader society and critiques how schools, via standards, are adapting to the broader appification. Apps and appification play a significant role in changing globally what is meant by literacy. Yet, in the US, schools and educational policy are not keeping up with the rapid transition. Although schools are increasingly embracing the idea of apps and portable devices like tablets, there is little systematic connection between using the new technologies in schools and improving literacy required to be proficient in the app-o-verse.

scholarly journals Cocreative Development of the QoL-ME: A Visual and Personalized Quality of Life Assessment App for People With Severe Mental Health Problems

10.2196/12378 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. e12378 ◽  
Author(s):  
David C Buitenweg ◽  
Ilja L Bongers ◽  
Dike van de Mheen ◽  
Hans AM van Oers ◽  
Chijs van Nieuwenhuizen
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Fixed Number ◽  
Life Assessment ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Individual Values

Background Quality of life (QoL) is a prominent outcome measure in mental health. However, conventional methods for QoL assessment rely heavily on language‐based communication and therefore may not be optimal for all individuals with severe mental health problems. In addition, QoL assessment is usually based on a fixed number of life domains. This approach conflicts with the notion that QoL is influenced by individual values and preferences. A digital assessment app facilitates both the accessibility and personalization of QoL assessment and may, therefore, help to further advance QoL assessment among individuals with severe mental health problems. Objective This study focused on the development of an innovative, visual, and personalized QoL assessment app for people with severe mental health problems: the QoL-ME. Methods This study targeted 3 groups of individuals with severe mental health problems: (1) people with psychiatric problems, (2) people treated in forensic psychiatry, and (3) people who are homeless. A group of 59 participants contributed to the 6 iterations of the cocreative development of the QoL-ME. In the brainstorming stage, consisting of the first iteration, participants’ previous experiences with questionnaires and mobile apps were explored. Participants gave their feedback on initial designs and wireframes in the second to fourth iterations that made up the design stage. In the usability stage that comprised the final 2 iterations, the usability of the QoL-ME was evaluated. Results In the brainstorming stage, participants stressed the importance of privacy and data security and of receiving feedback when answering questionnaires. Participants in the design stage indicated a preference for paging over scrolling, linear navigation, a clean and minimalist layout, the use of touchscreen functionality in various modes of interaction, and the use of visual analog scales. The usability evaluation in the usability stage revealed good to excellent usability. Conclusions The cocreative development of the QoL-ME resulted in an app that corresponds to the preferences of participants and has strong usability. Further research is needed to evaluate the psychometric quality of the QoL-ME and to investigate its usefulness in practice.

scholarly journals Cocreative Development of the QoL-ME: A Visual and Personalized Quality of Life Assessment App for People With Severe Mental Health Problems (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
David C Buitenweg ◽  
Ilja L Bongers ◽  
Dike van de Mheen ◽  
Hans A M van Oers ◽  
Chijs van Nieuwenhuizen
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Fixed Number ◽  
Life Assessment ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Individual Values

BACKGROUND Quality of life (QoL) is a prominent outcome measure in mental health. However, conventional methods for QoL assessment rely heavily on language‐based communication and therefore may not be optimal for all individuals with severe mental health problems. In addition, QoL assessment is usually based on a fixed number of life domains. This approach conflicts with the notion that QoL is influenced by individual values and preferences. A digital assessment app facilitates both the accessibility and personalization of QoL assessment and may, therefore, help to further advance QoL assessment among individuals with severe mental health problems. OBJECTIVE This study focused on the development of an innovative, visual, and personalized QoL assessment app for people with severe mental health problems: the QoL-ME. METHODS This study targeted 3 groups of individuals with severe mental health problems: (1) people with psychiatric problems, (2) people treated in forensic psychiatry, and (3) people who are homeless. A group of 59 participants contributed to the 6 iterations of the cocreative development of the QoL-ME. In the brainstorming stage, consisting of the first iteration, participants’ previous experiences with questionnaires and mobile apps were explored. Participants gave their feedback on initial designs and wireframes in the second to fourth iterations that made up the design stage. In the usability stage that comprised the final 2 iterations, the usability of the QoL-ME was evaluated. RESULTS In the brainstorming stage, participants stressed the importance of privacy and data security and of receiving feedback when answering questionnaires. Participants in the design stage indicated a preference for paging over scrolling, linear navigation, a clean and minimalist layout, the use of touchscreen functionality in various modes of interaction, and the use of visual analog scales. The usability evaluation in the usability stage revealed good to excellent usability. CONCLUSIONS The cocreative development of the QoL-ME resulted in an app that corresponds to the preferences of participants and has strong usability. Further research is needed to evaluate the psychometric quality of the QoL-ME and to investigate its usefulness in practice.

Self-Compassion and Quality of Life in Adults Who Stutter

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 2097-2108
Author(s):  
Robyn L. Croft ◽  
Courtney T. Byrd
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
The Self ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Adults Who Stutter ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this study was to identify levels of self-compassion in adults who do and do not stutter and to determine whether self-compassion predicts the impact of stuttering on quality of life in adults who stutter. Method Participants included 140 adults who do and do not stutter matched for age and gender. All participants completed the Self-Compassion Scale. Adults who stutter also completed the Overall Assessment of the Speaker's Experience of Stuttering. Data were analyzed for self-compassion differences between and within adults who do and do not stutter and to predict self-compassion on quality of life in adults who stutter. Results Adults who do and do not stutter exhibited no significant differences in total self-compassion, regardless of participant gender. A simple linear regression of the total self-compassion score and total Overall Assessment of the Speaker's Experience of Stuttering score showed a significant, negative linear relationship of self-compassion predicting the impact of stuttering on quality of life. Conclusions Data suggest that higher levels of self-kindness, mindfulness, and social connectedness (i.e., self-compassion) are related to reduced negative reactions to stuttering, an increased participation in daily communication situations, and an improved overall quality of life. Future research should replicate current findings and identify moderators of the self-compassion–quality of life relationship.

Misophonia: An Evidence-Based Case Report

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 685-690
Author(s):  
C. S. Vanaja ◽  
Miriam Soni Abigail
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Case Report ◽  
Case History ◽  
Pure Tone ◽  
Physiological Responses ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Management Option ◽  
Pure Tone Audiogram

Purpose Misophonia is a sound tolerance disorder condition in certain sounds that trigger intense emotional or physiological responses. While some persons may experience misophonia, a few patients suffer from misophonia. However, there is a dearth of literature on audiological assessment and management of persons with misophonia. The purpose of this report is to discuss the assessment of misophonia and highlight the management option that helped a patient with misophonia. Method A case study of a 26-year-old woman with the complaint of decreased tolerance to specific sounds affecting quality of life is reported. Audiological assessment differentiated misophonia from hyperacusis. Management included retraining counseling as well as desensitization and habituation therapy based on the principles described by P. J. Jastreboff and Jastreboff (2014). A misophonia questionnaire was administered at regular intervals to monitor the effectiveness of therapy. Results A detailed case history and audiological evaluations including pure-tone audiogram and Johnson Hyperacusis Index revealed the presence of misophonia. The patient benefitted from intervention, and the scores of the misophonia questionnaire indicated a decrease in the severity of the problem. Conclusions It is important to differentially diagnose misophonia and hyperacusis in persons with sound tolerance disorders. Retraining counseling as well as desensitization and habituation therapy can help patients who suffer from misophonia.

Quality of Life of Youth With Hearing Loss

ASHA Leader ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 15 (15) ◽  
pp. 5-6
Author(s):  
Anne Skalicky ◽  
Brenda Schick ◽  
Donald Patrick
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Hearing Loss
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