Mobile Applications for Caregivers of Individuals with Chronic Conditions and/or Diseases: Quantitative Content Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Mobile health applications can help empowering caregivers and promote their wellbeing and their quality of life. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the technical and functional characteristics of mobile health applications designed for caregivers of individuals with chronic conditions and/or diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Systematic search of mobile health applications for smartphones (apps) based on the PRISMA standard for systematic reviews on the App Store and Google Play store during May and June 2018. A second search was carried out on the Pubmed and Google Scholar database to determine whether the applications had been tested or evaluated with results published in scientific journals and then a third search was performed on the Spanish health apps catalogs to evaluate the quality and security of the selected apps. RESULTS: 746 available health apps were identified and 43 were included in this paper. 67% (n = 29) of the apps were aimed exclusively at informal caregivers, 51% (n = 22) were designed to support caregivers and only 21% (n = 9) of them provided any sort of social or emotional support. The screening in Pubmed and Google Scholar determined that the apps analyzed lacked published papers and most of the apps (84%; n = 36) lacked approval from official agencies supporting their usage. DISCUSSION: The apps available on the market that meet the actual needs of caregivers are limited. Most of the apps were aimed at improving the care of the individual with a chronic illness. CONCLUSION: Despite the remarkable benefits of mHealth regarding the care of chronic diseases, a relatively poor contribution has been made to support caregivers. Customized apps, interventions assessing their effectiveness and adequate evidence are needed to understand the impact of this digital tool on caregivers' health.

Effectiveness of health web-based and mobile app-based interventions designed to improve informal caregiver's well-being and quality of life: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Internet-based interventions can help empower caregivers of people with chronic diseases and can develop solutions to decrease the physical and psychological consequences resulting from caregiving. OBJECTIVE: Analysing the effectiveness of health web-based and/or mobile app-based interventions with regard to the level of well-being and quality of life of informal caregivers in charge of people with chronic diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Systematic review of the following databases: Pubmed, Apa PsycINFO, ProQuest Health & Medical Complete and Scopus. Quality standards established by PRISMA and Joanna Briggs Institute Systematic Review Approach have been followed. The two phases of the selection process were carried out independently and a cross-case comparative analysis by three reviewers. RESULTS: A total of 17 studies met inclusion criteria. The analysis shows that almost all studies involved web-based interventions with the exception of one which concerned a mobile app-based intervention. Most of them prove their effectiveness in the overall well-being of the caregiver and more specifically in the mental dimension, highlighting a decrease in caregivers' anxiety and/or distress, depression symptoms and sense of competence. CONCLUSIONS: The findings support that web-based interventions have an impact mainly on caregivers' well-being. Nevertheless, other dimensions that are necessary for caregiving, such as physical, mental and social dimension, have been scarcely explored. More studies on mobile app-based interventions are needed to know their effectiveness.

Apoyo tecnológico a los cuidadores no profesionales de personas con enfermedades crónicas / Technological support for non-professional caregivers for patients with chronic conditions

OBJETIVO: identificar el uso y las potencialidades de las Tecnologías de la Información y de la Comunicación (TIC) en los cuidadores no profesionales de personas con enfermedades crónicas. MÉTODO: se realizó una revisión bibliográfica de la literatura publicada entre 2008 y 2014 en las bases de datos Scopus, Cuiden,I Cercador Plus, Teseo, Pubmed, Cinahl, Proquest Health & Medical Complete y el buscador Google Academic, sobre el uso de las tecnologías en personas cuidadoras. RESULTADOS: se seleccionaron 13 artículos. El análisis de los artículos ha identificado que las TIC: ayudan a los cuidadores no profesionales a adquirir conocimientos y habilidades, son un medio de comunicación que ofrece un estímulo social y cognitivo útil y disminuye la sobrecarga del cuidador, así como la ansiedad, el estrés y los conflictos familiares y/o conyugales. Aunque hay diferentes servicios de apoyo presenciales, los cuidadores los subutilizan por falta de tiempo, derivado de cuidar a la persona enferma, y por limitaciones geográficas, dificultades de transporte y/o problemas de salud. CONCLUSIONES: las TIC pueden contribuir a una mejora de calidad de vida de los cuidadores y pueden configurar un nuevo modelo de atención. Es imprescindible diseñar programas de intervención utilizando estas tecnologías. En España son escasas las publicación es sobre el tema, especialmente si se habla de estudios que traten de la eficacia del uso de las tecnologías como soporte a las cuidadoras

OBJECTIVE: to identify the use and potentialities of Information and Communication Technologies (ITC) in non-professional caregivers for persons with chronic conditions. METHOD: a bibliographic review was conducted on the literature published between 2008 and 2014 in the following databases: Scopus, Cuiden, I cercador plus, Teseo, Pubmed, Cinahl, Proquest Health and Medical Complete, and in the Google Academic search engine, about the use of technologies in caregivers. RESULTS: thirteen (13) articles were selected. The analysis of these articles has identified that: ITCs help non-professional caregivers to acquire knowledge and abilities, they are a means of communication that offers a useful social and cognitive stimulus, and also reduces the overload of caregivers, as well as their anxiety, stress, and conflicts within their family and/or marriage. Even though there are different personal support services available, caregivers will under-use them due to lack of time caused by looking after the patient, and also due to geographical limitations, difficulties to travel, and/or health problems. CONCLUSIONS: ITCs can contribute to an improvement in the quality of life of caregivers, and can become a new model of care. It is essential to design intervention programs using these technologies. There are few publications on this matter in Spain, particularly in terms of studies dealing with the efficacy of using technologies as a support for caregivers