Qualitative optimisation study of a digital health intervention for concussion

BACKGROUND: Concussion is a common condition that can lead to a range of post-concussion symptoms which negatively impact function and quality of life. There are a range of behavioural and psychological interventions that have been found to improve post-concussion symptom burden. However, individuals who have experienced a concussion typically get limited support with their recovery. To address this problem, HeadOn - a 5-week digital health intervention was developed. The intervention, supports users to self-manage recovery after a concussion and was designed following the Medical Research Council (MRC) framework for the development of complex interventions. METHOD: Following the MRC framework for the development of a complex intervention – a detailed qualitative study was conducted to gain insight into participants experience of using HeadOn, including the barriers and facilitators to engagement. A total of 15 participants, who had experienced a concussion and, used HeadOn underwent interviews. Interviews were transcribed and coded for themes and then mapped, using framework analysis, onto the constructs of the Behavioural Change Wheel. RESULTS: Facilitators to participants engagement included, 1) setting up a routine 2) saving HeadOn to their homepage and inbox, 3) the belief that using the intervention would support their recovery 4) that the intervention was created by a credible source 5) a commitment to use the intervention. Barriers to engagement included 1) both high or low symptom burden 2) difficulty using screens. Participants also commented positively that the intervention was easy to use. CONCLUSION: Participants made a number of suggestions on how to improve HeadOn which was then fed back into further development. Using this approach, HeadOn was optimised to enhance engagement for participants.

Grantor dc:publisher

The University of Edinburgh

Year dc:date.issued

2023

Author dc:creator

• d’Offay, Christine

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Pagliari, Claudia
• Gillespie, David

• digital health intervention
• concussion
• Behavioural Change Wheel
• post-concussion symptom burden
• self-manage recovery

Language dc:language.iso

en

Identifier URI

http://dx.doi.org/10.7488/era/5063

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:era.ed.ac.uk:1842/42361