Effects of an mHealth Occupational Therapy Intervention on Functional Performance: A Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Rehabilitation
• Digital Health Interventions
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Background:

• Neurodevelopmental disorders significantly impact children's daily activities and family participation.
• Telerehabilitation has gained prominence, especially post-COVID-19, for delivering therapeutic interventions.
• Outcome measurement is crucial for assessing the efficacy of interventions for these conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness of a mobile health (mHealth) application.
• To improve the performance of activities of daily living in children with neurodevelopmental disorders.
• To evaluate the usability of the mHealth application for families.

Main Methods:

• Quasi-experimental design with a control group.
• Fully remote mHealth-based intervention.
• Utilized validated instruments including PEDI-CAT, FOS, FCS, and SUS.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements in occupational performance, particularly in the global score and Responsibility dimension of the PEDI-CAT, were observed in the mHealth group.
• No significant differences were found between groups on CON-FAN and FOS scales, though FOS improved over time.
• The mHealth application demonstrated positive usability, with a System Usability Scale (SUS) score of 69.75.

Conclusions:

• The mHealth application is user-friendly for families of children with neurodevelopmental disorders.
• A blended approach combining face-to-face sessions with mHealth may enhance outcome measurement.
• Implementing a family-centered model alongside mHealth interventions is recommended for optimal results.