User-participatory development of FindMyApps; a tool to help people with mild dementia find supportive apps for self-management and meaningful activities

Objective There is growing evidence that hand-held touchscreen devices (tablets) can support people with mild dementia to manage their life and engage in meaningful activities. However, as it can be difficult to find apps that match one’s personal needs, wishes and abilities, a person-centred selection tool was developed, called FindMyApps. Method To ensure its usability, the FindMyApps selection tool was developed using a ‘user-participatory design’ in which users (persons with dementia and informal carers), and experts (designers, developers and researchers) closely collaborated. In three short iterative rounds – so called ‘sprints’ – the users were invited to test whether the prototypes harmonised with their needs, wishes and abilities. Results Each sprint provided insight into potential improvements of the tool. The development team gained an understanding of issues regarding usefulness (e.g. meaningful content of (sub)categories for apps in domains of self-management and meaningful activities), as well as issues to increase the user-friendliness (e.g. intuitive design with instructive navigation support). Conclusion The FindMyApps selection tool was conceived as a means to make it easier for people with mild dementia to select apps meeting their needs, wishes and abilities. This provisional end version will be further tested, and, if necessary, improved in a feasibility study.

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Randomized controlled feasibility study of FindMyApps: first evaluation of a tablet-based intervention to promote self-management and meaningful activities in people with mild dementia

Disability and Rehabilitation Assistive Technology ◽

10.1080/17483107.2020.1765420 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-15 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Yvonne Kerkhof ◽

Gianna Kohl ◽

Melanie Veijer ◽

Floriana Mangiaracina ◽

Ad Bergsma ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Feasibility Study ◽

Self Management ◽

Mild Dementia ◽

Randomized Controlled

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Selecting apps for people with mild dementia: Identifying user requirements for apps enabling meaningful activities and self-management

Journal of Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies Engineering ◽

10.1177/2055668317710593 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4 ◽

pp. 205566831771059 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

YJF Kerkhof ◽

A Bergsma ◽

MJL Graff ◽

RM Dröes

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽

Exploratory Study ◽

Self Management ◽

User Requirements ◽

Management Support ◽

Mild Dementia ◽

Informal Carers ◽

Technical Features ◽

Condition B

Touchscreen devices (e.g. tablets) can be supportive for people with mild dementia. This study identified user requirements for the development of a tool for selecting usable apps in the domains of self-management and meaningful activities. Eight focus groups with people with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia and informal carers were conducted using an exploratory study design. In study one, we identified meaningful activities and self-management support. In study two, we explored needs, wishes and abilities regarding the use of apps. The outcomes were analysed using inductive content analysis based on grounded theory. Three categories were identified in study one: (1) past meaningful activities, (2) present meaningful activities and (3) self-management support. Two categories emerged from the data of study two, with two and three themes, respectively. (1) Needs and wishes of users with regard to (a) the functionality of apps and (b) technical features of apps. (2) Abilities of users in terms of (a) physical and cognitive condition, (b) independent use of apps on a tablet and (c) skills to use the touchscreen and tablet. Based on these results, we will develop filters for people with mild dementia to select apps which match their individual needs, wishes and abilities.

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Getting better my way: Feasibility study of a self-management support tool for people with mood and anxiety disorders.

Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal ◽

10.1037/prj0000331 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 42 (2) ◽

pp. 158-168

Author(s):

Janie Houle ◽

Stephanie Radziszewski ◽

Préscilla Labelle ◽

Simon Coulombe ◽

Matthew Menear ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Anxiety Disorders ◽

Feasibility Study ◽

Self Management ◽

Management Support ◽

Support Tool ◽

Mood And Anxiety Disorders

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On-Demand, App-Delivered Coaching to Enable Diabetes Self-Management in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes—A Feasibility Study

Diabetes ◽

10.2337/db18-50-lb ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 67 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 50-LB

Author(s):

JOHN B. HERNANDEZ ◽

AMY ARMENTO LEE ◽

SCOTT ROBERTSON ◽

CARA SILVER ◽

AMIT MAJITHIA

Keyword(s):

Type 2 Diabetes ◽

Feasibility Study ◽

Self Management ◽

On Demand

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Determining the impact of postoperative complications in neurosurgery based on simulated longitudinal smartphone app-based assessment

Acta Neurochirurgica ◽

10.1007/s00701-021-04967-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Lion D. Comfort ◽

Marian C. Neidert ◽

Oliver Bozinov ◽

Luca Regli ◽

Martin N. Stienen

Keyword(s):

Postoperative Complications ◽

Feasibility Study ◽

Well Being ◽

Smartphone Application ◽

Simulated Patients ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

Longitudinal Assessment ◽

User Friendliness ◽

User Friendly ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Complications after neurosurgical operations can have severe impact on patient well-being, which is poorly reflected by current grading systems. The objective of this work was to develop and conduct a feasibility study of a new smartphone application that allows for the longitudinal assessment of postoperative well-being and complications. Methods We developed a smartphone application “Post OP Tracker” according to requirements from clinical experience and tested it on simulated patients. Participants received regular notifications through the app, inquiring them about their well-being and complications that had to be answered according to their assigned scenarios. After a 12-week period, subjects answered a questionnaire about the app’s functionality, user-friendliness, and acceptability. Results A total of 13 participants (mean age 34.8, range 24–68 years, 4 (30.8%) female) volunteered in this feasibility study. Most of them had a professional background in either health care or software development. All participants downloaded, installed, and applied the app for an average of 12.9 weeks. On a scale of 1 (worst) to 4 (best), the app was rated on average 3.6 in overall satisfaction and 3.8 in acceptance. The design achieved a somewhat favorable score of 3.1. One participant (7.7%) reported major technical issues. The gathered patient data can be used to graphically display the simulated outcome and assess the impact of postoperative complications. Conclusions This study suggests the feasibility to longitudinally gather postoperative data on subjective well-being through a smartphone application. Among potential patients, our application indicated to be functional, user-friendly, and well accepted. Using this app-based approach, further studies will enable us to classify postoperative complications according to their impact on the patient’s well-being.

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A Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Informed Self-Management Program for Acute Respiratory Failure Survivors: A Feasibility Study

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10040872 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 872

Author(s):

Megan M. Hosey ◽

Stephen T. Wegener ◽

Caroline Hinkle ◽

Dale M. Needham

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Failure ◽

Acute Respiratory Failure ◽

Feasibility Study ◽

Psychological Intervention ◽

Behavioral Therapy ◽

Management Program ◽

Self Management ◽

Management Intervention ◽

Clinically Significant ◽

Score Range

Background: The number of people surviving critical illness is rising rapidly around the globe. Survivorship comes at a cost, with approximately half of patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF) experiencing clinically significant symptoms of anxiety, and 32–40% of survivors having substantial anxiety symptoms in the months or years after hospitalization. Methods: This feasibility study reports on 11 consecutive ARF patients receiving up to six sessions of a psychological intervention for self-management of anxiety. Results: All 11 patients accepted and received the psychological intervention. Four patients did not fully complete all 6 sessions due to death (n = 1, 2 sessions completed), and early hospital discharge (n = 3, patients completed 2, 3 and 5 sessions). The median (IQR) score (range: 0–100; minimal clinically important difference: 13) for the Visual Analog Scale-Anxiety (VAS-A) pre-intervention was 70 (57, 75) points. During the intervention, all 11 patients had a decrease in VAS-A, with a median (IQR) decrease of 44 (19, 48) points. Conclusions: This self-management intervention appears acceptable and feasible to implement among ARF patients during and after an ICU stay.

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