scholarly journals An mHealth App for Users with Dexterity Impairments: Accessibility Study (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daihua Yu ◽  
Bambang Parmanto ◽  
Brad Dicianno
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Health ◽  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
Lower Number ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Usability Study ◽  
Interface Quality ◽  
App Development ◽  
Lower Error Rate ◽  
Insight Into

BACKGROUND A mobile health (mHealth) system called iMHere (interactive mobile health and rehabilitation) was developed to support individuals with chronic conditions and disability in their self-management regimens. The initial design of iMHere, however, lacked sufficient accessibility for users with a myriad of dexterity impairments. The accessibility of self-management apps is essential in ensuring usability. OBJECTIVE This study aims to increase the usability of the iMHere system for users with dexterity impairments by increasing the app’s accessibility. METHODS We targeted the accessibility redesign by focusing on the physical presentation and the navigability of the iMHere apps. Six participants presenting with dexterity impairments were included in the usability study of the original and redesigned apps. RESULTS We observed a lower number of touches needed to complete tasks (P=.09) and time to complete individual tasks (P=.06) with the redesigned app than with the original app; a significantly lower time for users to complete all tasks (P=.006); and a significantly lower error rate (P=.01) with the redesigned app than with the original app. In fact, no errors occurred with use of the redesigned app. Participant-reported overall average usability of the redesigned app (P=.007) and usability of individual modules (P<.001) were significantly higher than that of the original app due mostly to better ease of use and learnability, interface quality, and reliability. CONCLUSIONS Improved usability was achieved using a redesigned app. This study offers insight into the importance of personalization in enhancing the accessibility and also identifies strategies for improving usability in app development.

User-Centered Design Enhances Usability of an mHealth System for Users with Dexterity Impairments (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kuntal Chowdhary ◽  
Daihua Xie Yu ◽  
Gede Pramana ◽  
Andrea Fairman ◽  
Brad Edward Dicianno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
User Interface ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
Independent Living ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Self Management ◽  
User Centered Design ◽  
Entire Study ◽  
Efficiency And Effectiveness ◽  
User Centered

BACKGROUND Mobile health (mHealth) systems have been shown to be useful in supporting self-management by promoting adherence to schedules and longitudinal health interventions, especially in people with disabilities (PwD). The Interactive Mobile Health and Rehabilitation (iMHere) System was developed to empower PwD and those with chronic conditions with supports needed for self-management and independent living. Since the first iteration of the iMHere 1.0 app, several studies have evaluated accessibility and usability of the system. Potential opportunities to improve and simplify the user interface (UI) were identified, and the iMHere modules were redesigned accordingly. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the usability of the redesigned modules within iMHere 1.0. METHODS This study evaluated the original and redesigned MyMeds and SkinCare modules. To assess the participants’ dexterity levels, the Purdue Pegboard Test (PPBT) was administered. Participants were then asked to perform a set of tasks using both the original and redesigned MyMeds and SkinCare modules to assess efficiency and effectiveness. Usability was measured using the Telehealth Usability Questionnaire (TUQ) to evaluate 10 new accessibility features that were added to the redesigned app. Participants were also asked which version they preferred. RESULTS Twenty-four participants with disabilities and varied degrees of dexterity impairments completed the entire study protocol. Participants displayed improved efficiency and effectiveness of use when using the redesigned modules, as compared to the original modules. Participants also reported improved usability and preferred the redesigned modules. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that the iMHere System became more efficient, effective, and usable for individuals with dexterity impairments after redesigning it according to user-centered principles.

scholarly journals One year follow-up and exploratory analysis of a patient-centered interdisciplinary care intervention for multimorbidity

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 263355652110397
Author(s):  
Martin Fortin ◽  
Moira Stewart ◽  
José Almirall ◽  
Djamal Berbiche ◽  
Mathieu Bélanger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Lower Number ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
Younger Patients ◽  
Subgroup Analyses ◽  
One Year

Context Interventions for people with multimorbidity have obtained mixed results. We aimed to document the long-term effect of an intervention for people with multimorbidity. Methods 284 patients (18–80 years) presenting three or more chronic conditions were recruited from seven family medicine groups in the Saguenay-Lac St-Jean region, Quebec, Canada. The patient-centered intervention was based on motivational approach and self-management support. Outcomes were evaluated in a one-year pre-post study design with questionnaires that included the Health Education Questionnaire (heiQ), the Self-Efficacy for Managing Chronic Diseases, the Veteran RAND-12 Health Survey (VR-12), the EuroQoL 5-Domains questionnaire, the Kessler six item Psychological Stress Scale, and measures of smoking habit, physical activity, healthy eating and alcohol consumption. Subgroup analyses by age, number of conditions, sex, and income were also conducted. Results The heiQ domain of emotional wellbeing improved significantly. Improvement was also observed for the VR-12 and the K6. Among the health behaviours, only healthy eating was improved. Subgroup analyses in this exploratory study suggest that younger patients, those with lower number of chronic conditions or higher incomes may respond better in relation to self-management, health status and health behaviours. Conclusion One year after the intervention, participants significantly improved a variety of outcomes. Subgroup analyses suggest that younger patients, those with lower number of chronic conditions or higher incomes may respond better in relation to self-management, health status and health behaviours. This suggests that future interventions should be tailored to patients’ characteristics including age, sex, income and number of conditions.

scholarly journals An Adaptive Mobile Health System to Support Self-Management for Persons With Chronic Conditions and Disabilities: Usability and Feasibility Studies (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
I Made Agus Setiawan ◽  
Leming Zhou ◽  
Zakiy Alfikri ◽  
Andi Saptono ◽  
Andrea D Fairman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Health ◽  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Secondary Complications ◽  
Change Over Time ◽  
Adaptive Architecture ◽  
Persuasive Technologies ◽  
Over Time

BACKGROUND Persons with chronic conditions and disabilities (PwCCDs) are vulnerable to secondary complications. Many of these secondary complications are preventable with proactive self-management and proper support. To enhance PwCCDs' self-management skills and conveniently receive desired support, we have developed a mobile health (mHealth) system called iMHere. In 2 previous clinical trials, iMHere was successfully used to improve health outcomes of adult participants with spina bifida and spinal cord injury. To further expand use of iMHere among people with various types of disabilities and chronic diseases, the system needs to be more adaptive to address 3 unique challenges: 1) PwCCDs have very diverse needs with regards to self-management support, 2) PwCCDs’ self-management needs may change over time, and 3) it is a challenge to keep PwCCDs engaged and interested in long-term self-management. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to develop an adaptive mHealth system capable of supporting long-term self-management and adapting to the various needs and conditions of PwCCDs. METHODS A scalable and adaptive architecture was designed and implemented for the new version, iMHere 2.0. In this scalable architecture, a set of mobile app modules was created to provide various types of self-management support to PwCCDs with the ability to add more as needed. The adaptive architecture empowers PwCCDs with personally relevant app modules and allows clinicians to adapt these modules in response to PwCCDs’ evolving needs and conditions over time. Persuasive technologies, social support, and personalization features were integrated into iMHere 2.0 to engage and motivate PwCCDs and support long-term usage. Two initial studies were performed to evaluate the usability and feasibility of the iMHere 2.0 system. RESULTS The iMHere 2.0 system consists of cross-platform client and caregiver apps, a Web-based clinician portal, and a secure 2-way communication protocol for providing interactions among these 3 front-end components, all supported by a back-end server. The client and caregiver apps have 12 adaptive app modules to support various types of self-management tasks. The adaptive architecture makes it possible for PwCCDs to receive personalized app modules relevant to their conditions with or without support from various types of caregivers. The personalization and persuasive technologies in the architecture can be used to engage PwCCDs for long-term usage of the iMHere 2.0 system. Participants of the usability study were satisfied with the iMHere 2.0 client app. The feasibility evaluation revealed several practical issues to consider when implementing the system on a large scale. CONCLUSIONS We developed an adaptive mHealth system as a novel method to support diverse needs in self-management for PwCCDs that can dynamically change over time. The usability of the client app is high, and it was feasible for PwCCDs to use in supporting personalized and evolving self-care needs.

scholarly journals Development and pilot testing of a mobile health solution for asthma self-management: Asthma action plan smartphone application pilot study

2013 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 301-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher J Licskai ◽  
Todd W Sands ◽  
Madonna Ferrone
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Translation ◽  
Health System ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Smartphone Application ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Health Technologies ◽  
Asthma Action Plan

BACKGROUND: Collaborative self-management is a core recommendation of national asthma guidelines; the written action plan is the knowledge tool that supports this objective. Mobile health technologies have the potential to enhance the effectiveness of the action plan as a knowledge translation tool.OBJECTIVE: To design, develop and pilot a mobile health system to support asthma self-management.METHODS: The present study was a prospective, single-centre, nonrandomized, pilot preintervention-postintervention analysis. System design and development were guided by an expert steering committee. The network included an agnostic web browser-based asthma action plan smart-phone application (SPA). Subjects securely transmitted symptoms and peak flow data daily, and received automated control assessment, treatment advice and environmental alerts.RESULTS: Twenty-two adult subjects (mean age 47 years, 82% women) completed the study. Biophysical data were received on 84% of subject days (subject day = 1 subject × 1 day). Subjects viewed their action plan current zone of control on 54% and current air quality on 61% of subject days, 86% followed self-management advice and 50% acted to reduce exposure risks. A large majority affirmed ease of use, clarity and timeliness, and 95% desired SPA use after the study. At baseline, 91% had at least one symptom criterion for uncontrolled asthma and 64% had ≥2, compared with 45% (P=0.006) and 27% (P=0.022) at study close. Mean Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire score improved from 4.3 to 4.8 (P=0.047).CONCLUSIONS: A dynamic, real-time, interactive, mobile health system with an integrated asthma action plan SPA can support knowledge translation at the patient and provider levels.

scholarly journals Mobile Health Technology for Hypertension Management: A Systematic Review

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sohrab Almasi ◽  
Azamossadat Hosseini ◽  
Hassan Emami ◽  
Azam Sabahi
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
Pressure Control ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Hypertension Control ◽  
Mhealth Technology ◽  
Present Systematic Review

Hypertension is a chronic condition, and a major risk factor for other chronic conditions requires management. Considering the growth and extensive use of mobile health (mHealth) technologies and their capabilities, it is essential to examine the effects of these technologies on hypertension control and self-management. The present systematic review examined the effect of using mHealth technologies in controlling blood pressure and investigated the functionalities of mHealth technology on self-management aspects of patients with hypertension. A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus databases. Clinical trials in English investigating the use of mHealth technologies for blood pressure control published from 2005 to 2018 were included in this study. The functionalities of these technologies were also investigated. These functionalities were divided into five categories of monitoring, alarms, feedbacks, education, and communication. The most frequently used technology for hypertension control was smartphones in the 15 articles examined. Moreover, the most frequent functionalities used for self-management of hypertension were communications and reminders, education, monitoring, and feedback, respectively. In the majority of the studies, these functionalities were employed in combination with mHealth technologies, a feature that affects hypertension control and self-management. The use of mHealth technologies, such as smartphones, positively affects hypertension self-management and reduces blood pressure. Functionalities such as communication and reminders, education, monitoring, and feedback are effective in hypertension self-management programs. The simultaneous use of these functionalities combined will be more effective in hypertension self-management programs.

Pilot Testing A Breast Cancer Self-Management Support mHealth Application in Taiwan (Part 2): A Quantitative Study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
I-Ching Hou ◽  
Pei-Yu Tsai ◽  
Shan-Hsiang Shen ◽  
King-Jen Chang ◽  
Hao-Chih Tai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Rank Correlation ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Pilot Test ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Perceived Ease Of Use ◽  
Spearman’S Rank Correlation ◽  
Spearman’S Rank Correlation Coefficient

BACKGROUND Breast cancer has a high incidence rate among women in Taiwan and worldwide. Advanced surgery and medical therapies have improved survival rates. Today, smartphones are popular and can be used to develop ubiquitous technology for disease self-management and to maintain patients’ quality of life. In Taiwan, a mobile health self-management support app with eight main features was developed to address breast cancer women’s information needs based on prior research using a design thinking approach. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to pilot test Taiwan breast cancer women’s acceptance of the app. METHODS An instrument with confirmed reliability and validity based on the modified technology acceptance model for mobile services and aesthetics preference of interface icons was used. Women with breast cancer were recruited to participate in the pilot test workshop and then answer survey questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient method was used to analyze the data. RESULTS A total of 45 women participated the study. They were mostly aged 41-50(40%, 18/45), bachelor’s degree or equivalent (54.4%, 29/45), married (66.7%, 30/45), stage II breast cancer (37.8%, 17/45), had completed treatment (55.6%, 25/45) and received surgical treatment (93.3%, 42/45). The highest mean scores of user acceptance factors rated on the 5-point Likert scale was perceived ease of use (4.14, SD=0.42), followed by actual use (4.12, SD=0.57), perceived value (4.07, SD=0.62), user satisfaction (4.01, SD=0.51), intention to use (3.89, SD=0.58), and the lowest mean score was trust (3.89, SD=0.58). The Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient indicated positive associations between each factor and statistically significant correlations (p value <0.05). Seven of eight interface feature icons in original app were favored over alternative icon options. CONCLUSIONS This study developed a smartphone app to predict Taiwan breast cancer women’s acceptance of mobile health technology for supporting disease self-management. The results suggest that patients positively accepted the app and would like it to be available in the future. However, data security and individual privacy protection features should be enhanced to increase users’ trust. In addition, the design of most interface icons was accepted by the participants which is consistent with their perceived ease of use of the app.

scholarly journals Measuring Success of Patients' Continuous Use of Mobile Health Services for Self-Management of Chronic Conditions: A Theoretical Model and Empirical Test with Hypertensive Patients (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ting Song ◽  
Ning Deng ◽  
Tingru Cui ◽  
Siyu Qian ◽  
Fang Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Theoretical Model ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
User Satisfaction ◽  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Perceived Health Status ◽  
Continuous Use

BACKGROUND Mobile health services are gradually being introduced to support patients' self-management of chronic conditions. The success of these services is contingent upon patients' continuous use of them. OBJECTIVE This study aims to develop a model to measure the success of patients' continuous use of mobile health services for self-management of chronic conditions. METHODS The proposed model was derived from the Information Systems Continuance Model and Information Systems Success Model. The model contained seven theoretical constructs: information quality, system quality, service quality, perceived usefulness, user satisfaction, perceived health status, and continuous use intention. An online questionnaire survey instrument was developed to test the model. The survey was conducted to collect data from 129 patients who used a mobile health app for hypertension management from 2017 to 2019. The questionnaire items were derived from the validated instruments and were measured by a five-point Likert Scale. The partial least square modelling method was used to test the theoretical model. RESULTS The model accounted for 58.5% of the variance in perceived usefulness (R2=.585), 52.3% of the variance in user satisfaction (R2=.523), and 41.4% of the variance in patients' intention to make continuous use of mobile health services (R2=.414). The continuous use intention was significantly influenced by their perceived health status (β=.195, P=.034), the perceived usefulness (β=.307, P=.004) and user satisfaction (β=.254, P=.037) with the mobile health service. Information quality (β=.235, P=.005), system quality (β=.192, P=.022) and service quality (β=.494, P<.001) had a significant positive influence on perceived usefulness, but not on user satisfaction. Perceived usefulness had a significant positive influence on user satisfaction (β=.664, P<.001). In a result opposite to the original hypothesis, perceived health status did not negatively influence patients' intention to continue using the mobile health service but showed a significant, positive correlation. CONCLUSIONS This study developed a theoretical model to predict and explain patients' continuous use of mobile health services for self-management of chronic conditions and empirically tested the model. Perceived usefulness, user satisfaction and health status contributed to patients' intention to make continuous use of mobile health services for self-managing their chronic conditions.

scholarly journals Using a commercially available app for self-management of hypertension: Acceptance and usability study in Saudi Arabia (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tourkiah Alessa ◽  
Mark S Hawley ◽  
Nouf Alsulamy ◽  
Luc de Witte
Keyword(s):  
Real World ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
The Self ◽  
Security And Privacy ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Usability Study ◽  
Gulf Region ◽  
Usability Test ◽  
App Development ◽  
Study Participants

BACKGROUND The use of smartphone apps to assist in the self-management of hypertension is becoming increasingly common, but very few commercially available apps have the potential to be with adequate security and privacy safeguards and effective. In a previous study, we identified 5 apps that are potentially effective and safe, and, based on the preferences of doctors and patients, one (Cora Health) was selected as most suitable for use in a Saudi context. However, there is currently no evidence on its usability and acceptance among potential users. Indeed, there has been very little research into usability and acceptance of hypertension apps in general, and even less that considers the Gulf Region. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the acceptance and usability of the selected app in the Saudi context. METHODS This research used a mixed-methods approach with two studies: 1) a usability test involving patients in a controlled setting performing predefined tasks; and 2) a real-world usability study where patients used the app for four weeks. In the usability test, participants were asked to think aloud while performing the tasks, and an observer recorded how many tasks they completed. At the end of the real-world pilot study, participants were interviewed and the mHealth App Usability Questionnaire (MAUQ) was completed. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze quantitative data and thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data RESULTS A total of 10 patients completed study 1. The study found that app usability was moderate and participants needed some familiarization time before they could use the app proficiently. Some usability issues were revealed, related to app accessibility, navigation, etc. and a few tasks remained uncompleted by most people. Twenty patients completed study 2, with a mean age of 51.6. Study 2 found that the app was generally acceptable and easy to use, with some similar usability issues identified. Participants stressed the importance of practice and training to use it more easily and proficiently. Participants had a good engagement level with 48% retention at the end of study 2, with most participants’ engagement being classed as meaningful. The most recorded data was BP, followed by stress and medication, and the most accessed feature was viewing graphs of data trends. CONCLUSIONS This study showed that a commercially available app can be usable and acceptable in the self-management of hypertension, but also found a considerable number of possibilities for improvement, which need to be considered in future app development. The results show there is potential for a commercially-available app to be used in large-scale studies of hypertension self-management if suggestions for improvements are addressed. CLINICALTRIAL

scholarly journals Iterative Design and Usability Testing of the iMHere System for Managing Chronic Conditions and Disability

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea D. Fairman ◽  
Erika T. Yih ◽  
Daniel F. McCoy ◽  
Edmund F. LoPresti ◽  
Michael P. McCue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spina Bifida ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
Usability Testing ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Healthcare Team ◽  
Management Skills ◽  
Support Personnel ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
Iterative Design

A novel mobile health platform, Interactive Mobile Health and Rehabilitation (iMHere), is being developed to support wellness and self-management among people with chronic disabilities. The iMHere system currently includes a smartphone app with six modules for use by persons with disabilities and a web portal for use by medical and rehabilitation professionals or other support personnel. Our initial clinical research applying use of this system provides insight into the feasibility of employing iMHere in the development of self-management skills in young adults (ages 18-40 years) with spina bifida (Dicianno, Fairman, McCue, Parmanto, Yih, et al., 2015). This article is focused on describing the iterative design of the iMHere system including usability testing of both the app modules and clinician portal. Our pilot population of persons with spina bifida fostered the creation of a system appropriate for people with a wide variety of functional abilities and needs. As a result, the system is appropriate for use by persons with various disabilities and chronic conditions, not only spina bifida. In addition, the diversity of professionals and support personnel involved in the care of persons with spina bifida (SB) also enabled the design and implementation of the iMHere system to meet the needs of an interdisciplinary team of providers who treat various conditions. The iMHere system has the potential to foster communication and collaboration among members of an interdisciplinary healthcare team, including individuals with chronic conditions and disabilities, for client-centered approach to support self-management skills. 

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document