Feeling controlled or being in control? Apps for self-management among older people with neurological disability.

PURPOSE: The aim of this paper was to describe how people living with a neurological disability such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and stroke reason regarding using apps to facilitate self-management in everyday life. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A qualitative research approach with a focus group methodology was used. The sample comprised 16 participants, 11 men and 5 women, with an average age of 64 years (ranging from 51-80 years). Six participants were diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, six with Parkinson's disease and four with stroke. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis, which is a method for identifying, analyzing and reporting patterns. RESULTS: The results formed two themes. The first theme "using apps to have control of my health" comprises two subthemes; "monitor and take responsibility for a healthy lifestyle" and "compensate to facilitate everyday life". The second theme "using the app as a tool and means for communication" also comprised two subthemes; "dare to trust the app" and "feeling safe when sharing information with health care professionals". CONCLUSIONS: The use of apps put increased responsibility on the person and had the possibility to make them more involved in their own care. The use of an app can facilitate a healthy lifestyle and help to monitor disease-specific symptoms. In order to be able to use apps for communication with the health care sector legislation and safety issues need to be considered.Implications for rehabilitationApps can be used for self-management if they are safe and can be trusted.People with neurological disabilities want to be involved in their healthcare and needs to be addressed by health care professionals.The use of apps grasp over a wide variety of areas this is something that may be considered in health care and something that can be addressed by interdisciplinary approaches.Ordinary health-oriented apps and disease-specific apps were used differently and for different purposes.

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

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.