mHealth applications for children and adolescents with neurological disabilities
Mäkinen, Laura (2021)
2021
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https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202103163482
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202103163482
Tiivistelmä
The purpose of this study was to analyze and synthesize the previous research on the usability of mHealth applications for children and adolescents with neurological disabilities. A systematic review search was conducted on five databases, Cinahl (EBSCO), Google Scholar, IEEE Xplore, ProQuest Central and SportDiscus and additionally a manual international search was carried out. The searches were limited to years 2014-2020. A total of 20153 articles were found. Eleven articles met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Synthesis of the data was made to identify the factors influencing accessibility, user engagement and adoption of the mHealth applications. The quality of the chosen articles was carried out with Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) and Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). The results are described and presented in tables. The quality of the seven applications were assessed with Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS).
In recent years, more studies has been published on mHealth applications but few of the studies concentrates on children and adolescents with disabilities. Children, adolescents and people with disabilities have a legal right to participate to research voluntarily and increase awareness of their own thoughts and ideas about the topic. It is valuable to know about the accessibility of the mHealth apps for children and adolescents with neurological disabilities. The results show that mHealth applications have potential for empowering and supporting self-management skills and health behavior of children and adolescents with neurological disabilities. The classification of disability and health needs to be standardized and the different needs of the user`s should be recognised. Individual accessibility features increase mHealth application`s user engagement and adoption of the mHealth app. In the future, the efficacy of the mHealth applications should be focused more. Results can be used for targeting digital health promotion interventions and increasing health equity.
In recent years, more studies has been published on mHealth applications but few of the studies concentrates on children and adolescents with disabilities. Children, adolescents and people with disabilities have a legal right to participate to research voluntarily and increase awareness of their own thoughts and ideas about the topic. It is valuable to know about the accessibility of the mHealth apps for children and adolescents with neurological disabilities. The results show that mHealth applications have potential for empowering and supporting self-management skills and health behavior of children and adolescents with neurological disabilities. The classification of disability and health needs to be standardized and the different needs of the user`s should be recognised. Individual accessibility features increase mHealth application`s user engagement and adoption of the mHealth app. In the future, the efficacy of the mHealth applications should be focused more. Results can be used for targeting digital health promotion interventions and increasing health equity.