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Design Preferences, Routines, and Well-Being of Older Adults Using Voice-Guided Digital Mindfulness: Qualitative
Lucy McCarren1, Sanna Kuoppamäki1
1Department of Biomedical Engineering and Health Systems, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Huddinge, Sweden.
Background:
Mindfulness-based interventions have been demonstrated to be effective in improving bodily and emotional well-being. However, only a few studies have explored individual differences in the application and use of digital mindfulness among adults aged ≥65 years. Voice-guided mindfulness technologies can increase the accessibility of mindfulness training, but the expected benefits may not be similar in all user groups.
Objective:
This study aims to understand how older adults incorporate mindfulness into their habits and routines, explore the digital mindfulness design preferences of older adults, and understand if and how digital mindfulness can facilitate self-perceived well-being among older adults.
Methods:
A qualitative interview study built on an interpretive-constructivist paradigm was conducted among older adults in Sweden who used a voice-guided mindfulness app for a 3-week period in their homes (N=15). Semistructured interviews were conducted one-on-one with participants after using the app. Qualitative thematic analysis was used to explore the lived experiences of digital mindfulness, as articulated by participants, which allowed an open exploration of the subjective experiences of digital mindfulness and their possible effects and outcomes.
Results:
From the coding stage, 23 codes describing the digital mindfulness experience were identified from the data. These codes were thematized to group the codes together, resulting in 7 subthemes. From these 7 subthemes, three main themes were formed to answer the research objectives: (1) the embeddedness of digital mindfulness in older adults' daily routines and habits, (2) heterogeneity in older adults' design preferences for digital mindfulness, and (3) the consequences of digital mindfulness on the self-perceived well-being of older adults.
Conclusions:
This study concludes that digital mindfulness offers a possibility to enhance the self-perceived well-being of older adults by fostering resilience and self-care. However, adverse effects of mindfulness, such as frustration and discomfort, can also be experienced by older adults. The digital mindfulness experiences and preferences of older adults are highly individual, diverse, and manifold, which indicates that personalized approaches are essential for effective engagement. By acknowledging and addressing the heterogeneous design preferences within this demographic, developers can create more personalized and adaptive voice-guided mindfulness apps.
