Mobile health application (WeFit) among community-dwelling older adults: Development, validation, acceptance, and...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Digital Health
• Health Informatics

Background:

• Rising technology adoption and an aging population necessitate tailored health applications.
• Existing health apps often lack integrated approaches to exercise, nutrition, and cognitive health for seniors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop the WeFit mobile application, incorporating exercise, nutrition, and cognitive components.
• To evaluate the content validity, user acceptability, and usability of the WeFit app among older adults and healthcare providers.

Main Methods:

• A three-phase design and development study.
• Phase 1: Needs analysis through app reviews and literature search on older adults' mobile usage perceptions.
• Phase 2 & 3: Development of WeFit, content validity assessment (I-CVI), and evaluation of acceptability and usability with target users and health practitioners.

Main Results:

• No existing apps integrated all three health components (exercise, nutrition, cognition).
• WeFit achieved a high Content Validity Index (I-CVI) of 0.98.
• High user acceptability (93.3% understanding) and satisfaction with WeFit's interface and content; 100% of health practitioners found it easy to use and beneficial for medical advice.

Conclusions:

• The WeFit mobile application was successfully developed, validated, and accepted by older adults and health practitioners.
• WeFit offers a comprehensive, user-friendly solution for improving senior health through a holistic approach.