Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Health App Recommendation Tool
University of Pittsburgh
Summary
This study aims to assess the effectiveness of the Health App Recommendation Tool (HART), an evidence-based tool that evaluates app features and matches them to the needs, abilities, and preferences of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) or their caregivers. This novel tool is not an app in and of itself, but rather an assessment tool used to determine how well suited a given app is for a member of the ADRD or caregiver population. Specifically, the objective of this research is to assess the acceptability of the current HART design among target end-users in their individual contexts. The overarching goal of this project is to connect those in the ADRD community with available, usable, and effective digital tools to promote the highest possible level of health and wellness in community settings. To achieve this goal, the study will recruit 15 family caregivers living with their loved ones with ADRD, who will trial HART and provide feedback. Participation will include two data collection sessions (pre-intervention and post-intervention) within a four-week trial period. Participants will be asked to complete the HART, explore the recommended apps, and provide feedback on HART's usability through several brief surveys.
Description
Dementia caregiving is a growing challenge predominantly shouldered by young and middle-aged adults, who often face significant physical and mental health needs. Despite the availability of numerous smart health technologies capable of addressing these needs, caregivers frequently encounter difficulties identifying appropriate health applications due to the overwhelming number of options and lack of clear guidance. Proposed Solution: To bridge this gap, the Health App Recommendation Tool (HART) has been developed as a user-friendly platform designed to connect dementia caregivers with biomedi…