I have most of my asthma under control and I know how my asthma acts: Users’ perceptions of asthma self-management mobile app tailored for adolescents

Abstract

Asthma continues to be the leading chronic condition among US adolescents. Despite medical advances, many adolescents face uncontrolled asthma mainly due to insufficient self-management skills. Mobile apps pose a promising adjunct to in-clinic asthma care. However, little is known about the usability and effectiveness of such technology. In all, 20 adolescents participated in a 3-month trial to test an asthma app tailored to their age. Qualitative data on adolescents’ experience with the app were inquired. Overall, participants thought the app was functional and user-friendly. The majority expressed that the app assisted them with asthma self-management through tracking of asthma status and text reminders to test their peak flow regularly. They indicated external factors that limited app use and suggested improvements to make the app more engaging and appealing to adolescents. The tested app provides a feasible means to assist adolescent in developing self-management skills, tracking disease status, and communicating with healthcare providers.

Use of Technology-Based Tools to Support Adolescents and Young Adults With Chronic Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…A total of 17 studies utilized a qualitative approach: 6 exploratory studies [32,39,51,53,54,57], 3 multiphase studies involving the iterative design and development of an intervention [43,47,52], 2 feasibility studies [34,45], 2 usability studies of an intervention [42,55], 1 evaluation of user experience [50], and 3 mixed-methods studies [35,38,58].…”

“…Perceived usefulness or acceptability was explored in 14 interventions across 16 studies because 2 of the interventions, Challenge your arthritis [33,34] and Teens Taking Charge: Managing Arthritis Online [55,56] were evaluated twice (Multimedia Appendix 6). Most of the interventions (n=11) received a positive reaction from the participants [33,34,37,42,44,46,47,51,52,55-58]. Of the 3 interventions that received a neutral response, 2 did not involve pediatric patients in the intervention development [50,59], whereas one fully relied on AYAs without the involvement of a health care professional or content expert [36].…”

Children and young people’s concerns and needs relating to their use of health technology to self-manage long-term conditions: a scoping review

“…CYP highlighted financial costs 28 31 associated with using mobile data 45 to access apps as well as the impact on device storage capacity 43 and challenged the assumption that all CYP used social media or had access to smartphones. 49 …”

“…The use of health technologies by CYP to manage LTCs is increasing with many studies describing their development, acceptability and use by CYP 45 53–61 ; effectiveness 53 62–64 ; and compliance by CYP. 41 57 However, there is limited literature on the concerns that CYP may have when (or before) using a health technology for self-managing their LTC, and no review has specifically explored these concerns.…”

Design and Comprehension Testing of Tailored Asthma Control Infographics for Adults with Persistent Asthma

“…These include illustrated asthma action plans, [32][33][34][35][36] inhaler instructions with pictograms and/or illustrations, 37,38 measurement instruments with illustrated response options, 39,40 graphical patient-reported outcome summaries, 41 and interfaces for mobile apps that track symptoms over time. [42][43][44] The use of stoplight colors (green, yellow/ orange, and red) are common across these visualizations, as are images of inhalers, suns and moons (to represent medication dosing times), and people having difficulty breathing. Of the aforementioned patient-facing visualizations, only the graphical patient-reported outcome summaries are intended to show cross-sectional data about asthma control status.…”