Mobile App for Parental Empowerment for Caregivers of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: Prospective Open Trial
BackgroundConflicting data emerge from literature regarding the actual use of smartphone apps in medicine; some considered the introduction of smartphone apps in medicine to be a breakthrough, while others suggested that, in real-life, the use of smartphone apps in medicine i...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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JMIR Publications
2021-09-01
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| Series: | JMIR Mental Health |
| Online Access: | https://mental.jmir.org/2021/9/e27803 |
| _version_ | 1797735731490193408 |
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| author | Olivier Bonnot Vladimir Adrien Veronique Venelle Dominique Bonneau Fanny Gollier-Briant Stephane Mouchabac |
| author_facet | Olivier Bonnot Vladimir Adrien Veronique Venelle Dominique Bonneau Fanny Gollier-Briant Stephane Mouchabac |
| author_sort | Olivier Bonnot |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
BackgroundConflicting data emerge from literature regarding the actual use of smartphone apps in medicine; some considered the introduction of smartphone apps in medicine to be a breakthrough, while others suggested that, in real-life, the use of smartphone apps in medicine is disappointingly low. Yet, digital tools become more present in medicine daily. To empower parents of a child with autism spectrum disorder, we developed the Smartautism smartphone app, which asks questions and provides feedback, using a screen with simple curves.
ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate usage of the app by caregivers of individuals with autism spectrum disorders.
MethodsWe conducted a prospective longitudinal exploratory open study with families that have a child with autism spectrum disorder. Data were recorded over a period of 6 months, and the outcome criteria were (1) overall response rates for a feedback screen and qualitative questionnaires, and (2) response rates by degree of completion and by user interest, based on attrition.
ResultsParticipants (n=65) had a very high intent to use the app during the 6-month period (3698/3900 instances, 94.8%); however, secondary analysis showed that only 46% of participants (30/65) had constant response rates over 50%. Interestingly, these users were characterized by higher use and satisfaction with the feedback screen when compared to low (P<.001) and moderate (P=.007) users.
ConclusionsWe found that real or perceived utility is an important incentive for parents who use empowerment smartphone apps.
International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)RR2-10.1136/bmjopen-2016-012135 |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T13:03:21Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5037793a85f8482d9fe223dc1429cd6b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2368-7959 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T13:03:21Z |
| publishDate | 2021-09-01 |
| publisher | JMIR Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | JMIR Mental Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-5037793a85f8482d9fe223dc1429cd6b2023-08-28T19:04:31ZengJMIR PublicationsJMIR Mental Health2368-79592021-09-0189e2780310.2196/27803Mobile App for Parental Empowerment for Caregivers of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: Prospective Open TrialOlivier Bonnothttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-3776-3645Vladimir Adrienhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-8035-8843Veronique Venellehttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-0693-873XDominique Bonneauhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-6886-0969Fanny Gollier-Brianthttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-0350-9825Stephane Mouchabachttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-4226-7956 BackgroundConflicting data emerge from literature regarding the actual use of smartphone apps in medicine; some considered the introduction of smartphone apps in medicine to be a breakthrough, while others suggested that, in real-life, the use of smartphone apps in medicine is disappointingly low. Yet, digital tools become more present in medicine daily. To empower parents of a child with autism spectrum disorder, we developed the Smartautism smartphone app, which asks questions and provides feedback, using a screen with simple curves. ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate usage of the app by caregivers of individuals with autism spectrum disorders. MethodsWe conducted a prospective longitudinal exploratory open study with families that have a child with autism spectrum disorder. Data were recorded over a period of 6 months, and the outcome criteria were (1) overall response rates for a feedback screen and qualitative questionnaires, and (2) response rates by degree of completion and by user interest, based on attrition. ResultsParticipants (n=65) had a very high intent to use the app during the 6-month period (3698/3900 instances, 94.8%); however, secondary analysis showed that only 46% of participants (30/65) had constant response rates over 50%. Interestingly, these users were characterized by higher use and satisfaction with the feedback screen when compared to low (P<.001) and moderate (P=.007) users. ConclusionsWe found that real or perceived utility is an important incentive for parents who use empowerment smartphone apps. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)RR2-10.1136/bmjopen-2016-012135https://mental.jmir.org/2021/9/e27803 |
| spellingShingle | Olivier Bonnot Vladimir Adrien Veronique Venelle Dominique Bonneau Fanny Gollier-Briant Stephane Mouchabac Mobile App for Parental Empowerment for Caregivers of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: Prospective Open Trial JMIR Mental Health |
| title | Mobile App for Parental Empowerment for Caregivers of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: Prospective Open Trial |
| title_full | Mobile App for Parental Empowerment for Caregivers of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: Prospective Open Trial |
| title_fullStr | Mobile App for Parental Empowerment for Caregivers of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: Prospective Open Trial |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mobile App for Parental Empowerment for Caregivers of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: Prospective Open Trial |
| title_short | Mobile App for Parental Empowerment for Caregivers of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: Prospective Open Trial |
| title_sort | mobile app for parental empowerment for caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorders prospective open trial |
| url | https://mental.jmir.org/2021/9/e27803 |
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