“The results are significant to future development of technology and digital solutions”, says researcher Cecilia Winberg, project coordinator for the study.
The results are based on a qualitative study in which the researchers have interviewed 16 people who are suffering from chronic neurological disorders – all over the age of 50 with disorders such as Parkinson’s Disease, MS and stroke. In the interviews, which were carried out in groups, one discussed the use of mobile apps and how they can help people improve how they manage their disorder. The participants in the study were all experienced users of mobile technology.
“The use of apps can contribute to a person becoming more involved in their own care and health and enable you to have more responsibility on an individual level. These findings are important today, as healthcare is becoming increasingly person-centred and it is obvious that patients want to be involved in decisions that are made about them and their treatment”, says Cecilia Winberg, M.D and trained physiotherapist and Head of Unit at the Rehabilitation Clinic at Ystad Hospital and project coordinator for the study.
The researchers also argue that the use of apps can stimulate people into adopting a healthier lifestyle and help them to understand and manage their symptoms. However, it is important to have safe solutions so that you can trust the apps and know that the information that is shared there is managed correctly.
The patient group has expressed an interest in being involved in the creation of new solutions.
“The solutions will most likely become more relevant if future users are involved in the development work. The results also indicate that the use of apps can contribute to an increased sense of responsibility – if I know more I will also be able to manage the disorder better and thereby perhaps feel better”, says Eva Månsson Lexell, one of the coordinators for the study.
Facts about CASE: CASE – Centre for Ageing and Supportive Environments, interdisciplinary centre for ageing research. A research environment at Lund University focusing on supportive environments for an ageing population. The interdisciplinary research concerns issues involving interaction between environmental aspects and older people’s activities, participation, mobility and health, in Sweden and other countries. Consists of research groups from the Faculties of Law, Medicine and Social Sciences and Engineering. User participation is a key factor in the research and CASE has many collaboration partners locally, nationally and internationally.