Exploring Mobile Pain Applications with Diverse Elders
Author Information
Author(s): Milidonis Mary, Rupp Hayley, McGinty Patrick, Kopera-Frye Karen
Primary Institution: Cleveland State University
Hypothesis
Mobile health apps do not always consider the needs of diverse older adults.
Conclusion
The study found that both African American and Caucasian older adults have specific needs and preferences for mobile pain applications that must be considered in their design.
Supporting Evidence
- Participants experienced persistent pain from 3 months to 12 years.
- The majority of participants were female and Caucasian.
- Important app features identified included clear instructions and good navigation.
Takeaway
Older adults have different needs when using pain apps, and it's important to make these apps easy to use for everyone.
Methodology
Qualitative project examining perceptions of smartphone pain apps among older adults using the Mobile Application Rating Scale.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in self-reported data and limited diversity in the sample.
Limitations
The study may not represent all older adults as the sample was limited to specific demographics.
Participant Demographics
Mean age 68 years, 88% female, 76% Caucasian, 24% African American, 70% with some college education.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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