The Use of Apps for Health in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease and Stroke - Barriers and Facilitators
Paper in proceeding, 2017

Introduction: The importance of mobile health has increased during recent years but few studies have described the use of apps among persons with neurological disabilities. Aim: The aim of this paper was to describe how persons ageing with a neurological disability experience barriers and facilitators in relation to using apps in everyday life. Method: A qualitative approach was used. 16 persons with neurological disorders participated in two group discussions. Data were analyzed by content analysis. Results: The analysis formed four categories; Impairments make apps harder to use, Use of apps is increased by learnability and sharing, Valuating the information in an app, and Apps act supportive and motivating. Conclusion: The participants used apps in the same way as persons without disabilities. Impairments and trustworthiness were perceived as barriers, which need to be acknowledged when developing apps for this population. Use of apps was facilitated by the possibility to share data and to connect with others. Apps may have the potential to improve self-management for persons ageing with disabilities but further research is needed.

Apps

neurological disability

mHealth

usability

qualitative analysis

Author

C. Winberg

Lund University

M. Kylberg

Lund University

Cecilia Pettersson

Chalmers, Architecture, Building Design

T. Harnett

Lund University

P. O. Hedvall

Lund University

T. Mattsson

Lund University

E. Månsson Lexell

Skåne University Hospital

Lund University

Studies in Health Technology and Informatics

0926-9630 (ISSN) 18798365 (eISSN)

Vol. 242 638-641
978-161499797-9 (ISBN)

Subject Categories

Health Sciences

DOI

10.3233/978-1-61499-798-6-638

ISBN

978-161499797-9

More information

Latest update

11/14/2023