A study to explore the usefulness of a mobile health application to support people with mild cognitive and/or communication impairment due to dementia and their carers

BACKGROUND: Mobile apps for health (mHealth) have the potential to support people living with dementia. However, dementia is a complex and progressive condition that imposes specific constraints on the introduction/use of mhealth. Few studies have explored mHealth adoption and use within the complexity of everyday domestic settings. This study used an existing App co-designed with people living with mild cognitive and communication impairment (PWMCCI) due to learning disabilities and examined the usefulness for PWMICCI due to dementia and their carers. METHODS: A qualitative study of people with dementia and their carers. Data were collected in a phased approach to identify the potential need for, as well as the usability and utility of the app. Analysis employed the Domestication of Technology Model (DTM) to explore, in a novel way mHealth, in this user group(s). RESULTS: Most participants did not adopt the mHealth during the study period but some (n = 2) did routinely as it fulfilled a unique, unmet need. The use of DTM highlighted the complexities of dementia, pressure on carers and duplication of effort created barriers to app adoption and use in the long term. CONCLUSIONS: The ability of mHealth to support PWMCCI due to dementia and/or their carers may have potential. Users were motivated to try the technology but for any potential to be fully realised, the interplay between complexity of the condition including its progressive nature, demand on carers and nature of the technology needs to be more fully understood. Such issues place unique constraints around the size and window of opportunities for mHealth in this user group.