End users' impressions of a mHealth application supporting a fall prevention and management program for individuals living with spinal cord injury and multiple sclerosis who use wheelchair and scooter full-time: A focus group analysis

Falls are common and pose significant challenges for individuals living with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) who use wheelchairs and scooters (WC/S) full-time. To enhance quality of life and community participation, targeted fall prevention and management interventions are crucial. Mobile health (mHealth) applications (a.k.a. "apps") offer a promising and accessible path to support the delivery of such programs. The objective of this study is to identify targeted end-users' initial impressions of a mHealth app created to deliver a fall prevention and management program specifically designed for people living with SCI and MS who use WC/S full-time entitled: individualized Reduction of FaLLs (iROLL). Feedback was specifically sought on the mobile app (iROLL-O+)'s usability, usefulness, accessibility, appearance, and user experience. In this qualitative study, two focus group interviews were conducted with nine adults living with SCI or MS who used WC/S for at least 75% of their mobility, experienced falls in the past three years, and had access to the internet and internet-capable devices. The first involved participants who had completed the iROLL in-person or online (n=4); the second involved participants with no previous exposure to/experience with the iROLL program (n=5). The focus groups began with a pre-recorded tutorial on using iROLL-O+. The interview guide for both focus groups included questions on initial reactions to iROLL-O+ and views regarding the app's usefulness, accessibility, appearance, and ease of use. Participants in the first focus group were also given the opportunity to discuss how iROLL-O+ would enhance their experience with the iROLL program. Two researchers independently conducted a thematic analysis of the interview transcripts. Thematic analysis revealed five key themes describing end users' impression of iROLL-O+, including perceived usefulness, perceived usability, accessibility, appearance, and enhancement of the iROLL experience. Participants provided many actionable suggestions to improve the app. Feedback from participants who had previous exposure to the iROLL program highlighted the app's potential to expand the program's reach to a wider audience. Furthermore, it was noted that the app facilitates flexible access to the program. Participants' overall impression of iROLL-O+ was positive, especially with respect to the enhancement of users' access and experience with the program. Focus group findings will inform app revisions to optimize usability and reduce the likelihood of technology being abandoned.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Kinesiology

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2023

Author dc:creator

• Moein, Sahel

Contributors dc:contributor

• Rice, Laura A
• Peterson, Elizabeth W

• Mhealth Apps
• Fall Prevention
• Wheelchair
• Scooter
• Falls
• Education

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2023 Sahel Moein

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/122151

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F122151