Older adults' experiences with mHealth for fall prevention exercise: usability and promotion of behavior change strategies

Physiother Theory Pract. 2021 Dec;37(12):1346-1352. doi: 10.1080/09593985.2020.1712753. Epub 2020 Jan 7.

Abstract

Background: With the rapidly growing aging population, older adults need to stay healthy and active for a longer time. Mobile health (mHealth) solutions could help support, prevent, or delay functional decline and falls in old age.Purpose: The aim was to explore older persons' experiences of a mobile application for fall prevention exercise, and to identify what possible behavior change techniques to include in the further development of the application.Methods: Two focus groups were conducted with 12 older adults (seven women and five men) 70 to 83 years of age. A qualitative content analysis was performed.Results: Two main results emerged: 1) external facilitators for using the application; and 2) internal facilitators for using the application and perceived gains, in addition 10 behavior change techniques were identified.Conclusion: With support, an application could be adapted for older adults to manage, motivate, and adhere to fall prevention exercise. To achieve long-term adherence to health behavior changes, behavior change strategies and techniques are recommended to be included in further development of the fallprevention application.

Keywords: Active aging; application; behavior; exercise.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Exercise Therapy
  • Exercise*
  • Female
  • Health Behavior
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Telemedicine*