Perceived Benefits and Barriers of mHealth Mindfulness Use for Caregivers of Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment: A Qualitative Exploration.
Danielle H Llaneza, Amanda J Llaneza, Elissa Kozlov
Clinical Gerontologist 2024 DOI: 10.1080/07317115.2022.2154728 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 15 |
| Population | Caregivers of older adults with cognitive impairment |
| Intervention | mindfulness therapy mobile application |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | App intervention Dementia Family caregiving Mhealth Mindfulness therapy |
| Key findings | Caregivers reported that the mindfulness app was easy to use with many perceived benefits, and convenience was a prominent reason for continued regular use. |
Abstract
Mobile (mHealth) mindfulness-based interventions have the potential to be feasible, acceptable, effective, and scalable interventions for caregivers of people living with cognitive impairment. This qualitative study of caregivers of older adults with cognitive impairment explored caregivers' experiences using a mindfulness therapy mobile application. Fifteen caregivers were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. Analysis was guided by the phenomenological approach and inductive-deductive analysis. Six themes were generated from the data: convenience, barriers, perceived helpfulness, useful features, suggested app improvements, and skill transfer. Caregivers reported that the app was easy to use with many perceived benefits. Caregivers also noted some barriers to using the app. This study revealed that self-directed mHealth delivered mindfulness therapy may be a promising intervention for the caregivers involved in the study. Having the ability to use the app anywhere and at any time was a prominent reason for continued regular use for the participants. This was especially important to some caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The barriers discussed by the caregivers are important considerations for future app-based interventions for caregivers. Clinicians can consider recommending mHealth mindfulness therapy to caregivers as a tool to provide caregivers with additional support.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on meditation, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 2
- Mindfulness Training for People With Dementia and Their Caregivers: Rationale, Current Research, and Future Directions Frontiers in Psychology June 13, 2018
- The feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of an mHealth mindfulness therapy for caregivers of adults with cognitive impairment Aging & Mental Health August 25, 2021