Family-Centered Model and mHealth Through Early Intervention in Rural Populations: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Developmental Psychology
• Health Informatics

Background:

• Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) faces challenges in rural areas due to limited resources.
• Mobile health (mHealth) offers innovative strategies to improve ECI accessibility and effectiveness.
• This study evaluates mHealth within a family-centered model for ECI.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of mHealth interventions in a family-centered ECI model.
• To compare outcomes with a child-centered ECI model.
• To evaluate effects on child development and familial quality of life.

Main Methods:

• Quasi-experimental design with pre- and post-test measures.
• Three groups: child-centered, family-centered, and family-centered with mHealth.
• Sample: 55 children (0-6 years) with neurodevelopmental disorders in rural areas.

Main Results:

• The experimental group (family-centered with mHealth) showed the most significant improvements.
• Key improvements were observed in family quality of life and child's social functioning.
• Significant differences were found between the mHealth group and control groups.

Conclusions:

• mHealth is a promising tool for enhancing rural ECI accessibility, child development, and family well-being.
• Strong therapeutic relationships and interdisciplinary approaches are crucial for maximizing mHealth impact.
• Family-centered mHealth interventions show potential for improving outcomes in early childhood neurodevelopmental disorders.