User-Centered Mobile Applications for Stroke Survivors (MAPPS): A Mixed-Methods Study of Patient Preferences

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Health Equity

Background:

• Mobile health (mHealth) applications offer potential for post-stroke care.
• Understanding stroke survivors' (SS) preferences is crucial for effective mHealth adoption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate stroke survivors' preferences for a hypothetical mHealth app.
• To examine demographic influences on these preferences for stroke care.

Main Methods:

• Mixed-methods study involving focus groups, a national survey, and usability testing.
• Grounded theory approach to identify desired mHealth features.
• Analysis of demographic variables (age, sex, race, education, time since stroke) on perceived usefulness.

Main Results:

• Barriers to mHealth adoption include cost, complexity, and lack of support.
• Fitness and diet tracking (84%) were most desired features; communication (70%) least.
• Perceived usefulness was higher among younger SS and SS of color (African American, Hispanic).

Conclusions:

• Stroke survivors are willing to adopt mHealth apps that are free, offer technical support, and have simple designs.
• mHealth apps for stroke care should be multi-functional and accommodate neurological deficits.
• Addressing the preferences of SS of color can help reduce health inequities in stroke care.