Application of mobile health to support the elderly during the COVID-19 outbreak: A systematic literature review (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saeedeh Fehresti ◽  
Elham Monaghesh

BACKGROUND The COVID-19 outbreak has affected the elderly's physical and mental health. The application of information and communication technology, such as mobile health (m-health), can play a significant role in combating this pandemic by changing the behavior and lifestyle of the elderly during this time of crisis. OBJECTIVE This systematic review aimed to synthesize m-health capabilities in providing health services to the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to identify the factors associated with the success of these tools. METHODS To find the relevant studies, a search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest, and Google Scholar. The inclusion criteria were: studies in English that used m-health intervention in all aspects of elderly healthcare during the COVID-19 outbreak, published in peer-reviewed journals from 31 December 2019, and had any research design and methodology. Two authors independently took all the steps of this review, and finally performed narrative synthesis to report the findings. RESULTS Our initial search identified 421 studies, of which 10 met the inclusion criteria. The data analysis showed that all the m-health interventions had positive effects on the health of the elderly. The m-health services for the elderly during the current pandemic were used for therapy, information provision, self-help, monitoring, and mental health consultation purposes. The results also indicated that various factors affected the elderly's use of m-health tools. CONCLUSIONS The application of m-health keeps the elderly and healthcare providers safe, accelerates health service provision, reduces the costs of service delivery, and decreases the risk of morbidity and mortality during the COVID-19 outbreak. The successful use of m-health tools for the elderly in health programs during the current crisis greatly depends on supporting the elderly and overcoming the barriers.

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 100-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Moloney ◽  
Daniela Rohde

Purpose Physical activity is associated with both physical and mental health benefits for people with psychosis. However, mental health services have been criticised for failing to adequately promote physical activities. Occupational Therapy, with its focus on meaningful everyday occupations, is well placed to incorporate physical activity interventions. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of men with psychosis participating in an Irish community-based football programme. Design/methodology/approach Six men with psychosis participated in qualitative interviews. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Interview data were analysed thematically. Findings Participants identified many benefits of engaging in the programme. Football became a valued part of weekly routines and fostered re-engagement with previously valued roles. Participants identified improvements in social confidence and motor and process skills, as well as a positive impact on their mental and physical health. Originality/value This study highlights the value and meaning of participation in football for men with psychosis, as well as demonstrating the longer-term feasibility of football as a therapeutic medium in Occupational Therapy mental health service provision. Findings could help to promote the routine use of sports interventions to mental health services.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Feng ◽  
Yinan Zhao ◽  
Mingyue Hu ◽  
Hengyu Hu ◽  
Hui Li ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Dementia is one of the major cause of disability and dependency among the elderly worldwide, and there are general psychological distresses among caregivers in dementia, such as depression and anxiety symptoms. The physical and mental health of the caregiver is a prerequisite and a promise to help the elderly stay alive and promote health. Web-based interventions can provide for a more convenient and efficient support and education, OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of internet-based interventions on mental health outcomes of family caregivers with dementia, and exploring which components of the web-based interventions play an important role.which are likely to reduce caregivers’ negative outcomes associated with care. METHODS A comprehensive literature search was conducted on PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, Cochrane Database and CINAHL by using relevant terms such as web-based and caregiver as keywords, covering all studies published before June 2018. Two reviewers independently reviewed all published abstracts, according to the established inclusion and exclusion criteria ,we extracted the information about participants, interventions and results, respectively, and reviewed the quality of articles on the methods of randomized trials using the approach recommended by the Cochrane Handbook for systematic review for intervention. RESULTS A total of 815 caregivers participated in 6 articles, and 4 of the studies use depression as an outcome, according to the research after different interventions based on network after the intervention, depression scores average drop of 0.23 (95%CI -0.38 to -0.07, p<0.01), 2 studies show caregivers anxiety symptoms, the average score for anxiety dropped by 0.32 points (95% CI -0.50 to -0.14, p< 0.01), but in terms of coping, pain and stress, the web-based interventions have shown a poor effect. On the whole, the addition of professional psychological support on the basis of education can improve mental health of carers. CONCLUSIONS Internet-based interventions were generally effective in reducing anxiety and depression in dementia carers, although negative results were found in some studies. But in terms of burden and stress, further research is needed.


Author(s):  
Melissa K. Holt ◽  
Jennifer Greif Green ◽  
Javier Guzman

Schools are a primary setting for mental health service provision to youth and are also main sources of referral to community mental health service providers. This chapter examines the school context and its key role in the child and adolescent mental health services system. The chapter first provides information about the association of emotional and behavioral disorders with school experiences, including academic performance. Next, the chapter presents a framework for mental health service provision and assessment in schools, including describing methods for identifying students who might need mental health services and tracking their progress. Further, several evidence-based interventions are highlighted as examples of effective practices in schools. The chapter concludes with recommendations for clinical practice in school settings.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Piper ◽  
Tracey A. Davenport ◽  
Haley LaMonica ◽  
Antonia Ottavio ◽  
Frank Iorfino ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The World Economic Forum has recently highlighted substantial problems in mental health service provision and called for the rapid deployment of smarter, digitally-enhanced health services as a means to facilitate effective care coordination and address issues of demand. In mental health, the biggest enabler of digital solutions is the implementation of an effective model of care that is facilitated by integrated health information technologies (HITs); the latter ensuring the solution is easily accessible, scalable and sustainable. The University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre (BMC) has developed an innovative digital health solution – delivered through the Youth Mental Health and Technology Program – which incorporates two components: 1) a highly personalised and measurement-based (data-driven) model of youth mental health care; and 2) an industrial grade HIT registered on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods. This paper describes a research protocol to evaluate the impact of implementing the BMC’s digital health solution into youth mental health services (i.e. headspace - a highly accessible, youth-friendly integrated service that responds to the mental health, physical health, alcohol or other substance use, and vocational concerns of young people aged 12 to 25 years) within urban and regional areas of Australia. Methods The digital health solution will be implemented into participating headspace centres using a naturalistic research design. Quantitative and qualitative data will be collected from headspace health professionals, service managers and administrators, as well as from lead agency and local Primary Health Network (PHN) staff, via service audits, Implementation Officer logs, online surveys, and semi-structured interviews, at baseline and then three-monthly intervals over the course of 12 months. Discussion At the time of publication, six headspace centres had been recruited to this study and had commenced implementation and impact evaluation. The first results are expected to be submitted for publication in 2021. This study will focus on the impact of implementing a digital health solution at both a service and staff level, and will evaluate digital readiness of service and staff adoption; quality, usability and acceptability of the solution by staff; staff self-reported clinical competency; overall impact on headspace centres as well as their lead agencies and local PHNs; and social return on investment.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Voth ◽  
Shannon Chisholm ◽  
Hannah Sollid ◽  
Chelsea Jones ◽  
Lorraine Smith-MacDonald ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Globally, military members (MM) and public safety personnel (PSP) are vulnerable to occupational stress injuries (OSIs) due to their job demands. Consequently, when MM and PSP transition out of these professions, they may continue to experience mental health challenges. In response to this, resilience building programs are being developed and implemented with the goal of promoting empowerment and primary stress regulation. The development of mobile health (mHealth) applications (apps) as an emergent mental health intervention platform has allowed for targeted, cost effective, and easily accessible treatment when in-person therapy may be limited or unavailable. However, current mHealth app development is not regulated, and often lacks both clear evidence-based research and the input of healthcare professionals. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this manuscript is to evaluate the evidence-based quality, efficacy, and effectiveness of resilience building mobile apps targeted towards MM, PSP, and veteran populations via: (1) a scoping literature review of the current evidence-base regarding resilience apps for these populations, and; (2) evaluation of free resilience apps designed for use amongst these populations. METHODS Studies were selected using a comprehensive search of MEDLINE, CINAHL Plus, PsycINFO, SocINDEX, Academic Search Complete, Embase, and Google and was guided by Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR). The Alberta Rating Index for Apps (ARIA) was utilized to conduct a review of each of the identified apps. Inclusion criteria consisted of apps: 1) free to download in either Google Play or the App Store; 2) updated within the last 3 years; 3) available in English and in Canada; and 4) intended for use by MM and/or PSP. RESULTS Twenty-two apps met the inclusion criteria for evaluation. The resilience strategies offered by the majority of apps included psychoeducation, mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Eleven apps (50%) had been tested with randomized controlled trials, seven (31.8%) were evaluated using other research methods, and five (22.7%) had not been researched. Using the ARIA, apps scores ranged from 37 to 56 out of 72 with higher rated apps demonstrating increased useability and security features. CONCLUSIONS The mHealth apps reviewed are well suited to providing resilience strategies for MMs, PSP and veterans. They offer easy accessibility to evidence-based tools while working to encourage the use of emotional and professional support with safety in mind. While not intended to function as a substitute for professional services, research has demonstrated that mHealth apps have the potential to foster a significant reduction in symptom severity for PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other stress-induced concerns. Within clinical practice, apps can be utilized to supplement treatment as well as provide clients with population-specific, confidential tools to increase engagement in the treatment process. CLINICALTRIAL N/A


2004 ◽  
Vol 27 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 71-85
Author(s):  
Robert Kohn ◽  
Erika Goldsmith ◽  
Thomas W. Sedgwick ◽  
Sarah Markowitz

Author(s):  
Eva Sahlin ◽  
Björn Johansson ◽  
Per-Olof Karlsson ◽  
Jenny Loberg ◽  
Mats Niklasson ◽  
...  

Nature-based interventions have been proposed to promote physical and mental health and give stress reduction. Little attention has been given to the potential of zoos for human health and wellbeing. A disadvantaged group in Sweden regarding access to nature are individuals with disabilities who consequently do not have the same access to these health benefits as other groups. To increase awareness and knowledge regarding spending time in nature and with animals, courses directed at caretakers for persons with disabilities and their users were held at Nordens Ark, a zoo in Sweden. To explore if the courses had led to increased nature activities, and if participating in the courses had affected caretakers’ and their users’ health and wellbeing, questionnaires and interviews for evaluating the courses were used. The results showed improved quality in nature visits because of course participation as well as positive effects for the wellbeing, sustainability for the caregivers and users in their working lives, and relationships were positively affected. The conclusion from this study is that nature and animal-based education should be more frequent to provide opportunities for a disadvantaged group to have the positive effects of nature of which most other groups have obvious access to.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerry A. Thomas ◽  
Annelise M. Schroder ◽  
Debra J. Rickwood

Purpose Timely access to effective treatment is a primary goal for mental health services; however, when demand exceeds available resources, services may place clients on a waitlist or restrict services. This paper aims to identify approaches used by mental health services to manage service demand and waitlists. Design/methodology/approach A review of research literature between 2009 and 2019 was conducted using the Medline, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Embase and Cochrane databases. Articles were screened and assessed against inclusion criteria and the methodological quality of included studies was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Findings In total, 20 articles were located that met the inclusion criteria. Five demand management approaches were identified, namely, walk-in models, triage processes, multi-disciplinary care, patient-led approaches and service delivery changes. Research limitations/implications This review identifies effective approaches that services can consider adapting to their local setting; however, further research is needed to demonstrate the clinical effectiveness of services provided under these models. Originality/value This review makes a valuable contribution to mental health care service delivery by detailing the strategies that services have adopted to manage demand and, where available, comparative outcomes with traditional service delivery models.


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