Smartphone App Designed to Collect Health Information in Older Adults: Usability Study.
JMIR Hum Factors
; 11: e56653, 2024 May 30.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38815261
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Studies evaluating the usability of mobile-phone assessments in older adults are limited.OBJECTIVE:
This study aims to identify design-based barriers and facilitators to mobile app survey completion among 2 samples of older adults; those in the Framingham Heart Study and a more diverse sample from a hospital-based setting.METHODS:
We used mixed methods to identify challenging and beneficial features of the mobile app in participants from the electronic Framingham Heart Study (n=15; mean age of 72 years; 6/15, 40% women; 15/15, 100% non-Hispanic and White) and among participants recruited from a hospital-based setting (n=15; mean age of 71 years; 7/15, 47% women; 3/15, 20% Hispanic; and 8/15, 53% non-White). A variety of app-based measures with different response formats were tested, including self-reported surveys, pictorial assessments (to indicate body pain sites), and cognitive testing tasks (eg, Trail Making Test and Stroop). Participants completed each measure using a think-aloud protocol, while being audio- and video-recorded with a qualitative interview conducted at the end of the session. Recordings were coded for participant usability errors by 2 pairs of coders. Participants completed the Mobile App Rating Scale to assess the app (response range 1=inadequate to 5=excellent).RESULTS:
In electronic Framingham Heart Study participants, the average total Mobile App Rating Scale score was 7.6 (SD 1.1), with no significant differences in the hospital-based sample. In general, participants were pleased with the app and found it easy to use. A large minority had at least 1 navigational issue, most committed only once. Most older adults did not have difficulty completing the self-reported multiple-choice measures unless it included lengthy instructions but participants had usability issues with the Stroop and Trail Making Test.CONCLUSIONS:
Our methods and results help guide app development and app-based survey construction for older adults, while also giving consideration to sociodemographic differences.Palavras-chave
app; application; applications; apps; digital health; digital intervention; digital interventions; digital technology; electronic data collection; health information; mHealth; mixed methods; mobile application; mobile application surveys; mobile applications; mobile health; smartphone; smartphones; usability; usable; usableness; usefulness; utility
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Aplicativos Móveis
/
Smartphone
Limite:
Aged
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Aged80
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Female
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Humans
/
Male
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article