Feasibility of an Intervention for Patients with Cognitive Impairment Using an Interactive Digital Calendar with Mobile Phone Reminders (RemindMe) to Improve the Performance of Activities in Everyday Life.

Maria Andreassen,Henrik Danielsson,Helena Hemmingsson,Tiny Jaarsma,Inga-Lill Boman

doi:10.3390/ijerph17072222

Abstract

The aim of this study is to increase evidence-based interventions by investigating the feasibility of an intervention using an interactive digital calendar with mobile phone reminders (RemindMe) as support in everyday life. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected from participating patients (n = 8) and occupational therapists (n = 7) from three rehabilitation clinics in Sweden. The intervention consisted of delivering the interactive digital calendar RemindMe, receiving an individualized introduction, a written manual, and individual weekly conversations for two months with follow-up assessments after two and four months. Feasibility areas of acceptability, demand, implementation, practicality, and integration were examined. Patients expressed their interest and intention to use RemindMe and reported a need for reminders and individualized support. By using reminders in activities in everyday life their autonomy was supported. The study also demonstrated the importance of confirming reminders and the possible role of habit-forming. Occupational therapists perceived the intervention to be useful at the rehabilitation clinics and the weekly support conversations enabled successful implementation. This study confirmed the importance of basing and tailoring the intervention to patients’ needs and thus being person-centered.

Highlights

Cognitive impairment (CI) due to stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), or another neurological disease can result in difficulties for people to take the initiative and to plan, structure, and organize everyday life as well as to remember to carry out planned activities [1,2]
occupational therapists (OTs) perceived that it was appropriate to have a reminder via the mobile-/smartphone as most people keep their phones with them
It was viewed positively that the user did not have to be skilled in using digital technology and that the reminder message was instructive, as described by one OT: “The great thing about RemindMe is that you receive the reminder by short text message service (SMS), and it says what to do, that is the advantage I think” (OT 4)

Summary

Introduction

Cognitive impairment (CI) due to stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), or another neurological disease can result in difficulties for people to take the initiative and to plan, structure, and organize everyday life as well as to remember to carry out planned activities [1,2]. This can result in an experience for patients of lacking control over everyday life or a sense of being dependent on family and friends, and this can have an impact on their perceived quality of life [1,3]. Public Health 2020, 17, 2222; doi:10.3390/ijerph17072222 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph

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