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A Mobile Phone-Based Healthy Lifestyle Monitoring Tool for People With Mental Health Problems (MyHealthPA):
Louise Thornton1, Frances Kay-Lambkin2, Bree Tebbutt3
1National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Randwick, Australia.
JMIR Cardio
|November 24, 2019
Summary
This study developed MyHealthPA, a mobile program to help young people with mental health conditions improve lifestyle behaviors and reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. The program showed potential for usability and effectiveness, with suggestions for future improvements.
Area of Science:
- Digital health interventions
- Mental health research
- Cardiovascular disease prevention
Background:
- Individuals with mental health disorders experience significantly reduced lifespans, often due to poor physical health and cardiovascular disease (CVD).
- There is a critical need for evidence-based interventions to address this health disparity and reduce the lifespan gap.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop, test, and evaluate MyHealthPA, a mobile phone-based lifestyle program.
- To assess the program's ability to help individuals with mental health conditions improve health risk behaviors and lower CVD risk.
Main Methods:
- The MyHealthPA program was developed through literature reviews, a survey of 251 individuals, and subsequent program design.
- A pilot trial involved 28 young participants (aged 19-25) with and without mental health disorders, using the program for 8 weeks.
- Assessments were conducted at baseline, post-treatment, and at a 1-month follow-up to evaluate program impact.
Main Results:
- The pilot trial included 28 young participants, 43% of whom had a diagnosed mental illness.
- Improvements were observed in diet, physical activity, alcohol consumption, and mood, particularly in participants with mental health issues.
- While usability was rated highly, participant engagement and willingness to recommend the program indicated areas for enhancement.
Conclusions:
- The MyHealthPA program development was informed by formative research, establishing an evidence base for its approach.
- MyHealthPA is presented as an innovative, acceptable, and potentially effective mobile health (mHealth) intervention for CVD risk reduction in young people with mental illness.
- The study identified key areas for program improvement to enhance future testing and widespread dissemination.
