Abstract
Abstract Background A healthy lifestyle is a strong mediator for reducing the risk for cardiovascular diseases, including stroke. mHealth apps can be an integral part of disease prevention and to support self-management of different chronic conditions and the use of apps have increased. It is however crucial that digital tools that are developed for implementation in healthcare are explored in target populations. A digitally augmented intervention called ‘Make My Day' has been developed for Swedish Primary health care setting to support a change toward healthy behaviours and habits in everyday life for persons at risk for stroke. The aim of the study was to explore experiences of this new intervention which integrated a mobile app and onsite group sessions for persons who have been identified with a risk for stroke. Methods A qualitative design was utilized comprising interviews and observations conducted over 18 months with persons (n = 12) at risk for stroke. A constant comparative method was utilized. Results Preliminary findings show that the app contributed to opportunities for the participants to discover own strengths, weaknesses, current activity patterns, as well as keep track of lifestyle habits and risk factors. The app nudged the participants to incorporate healthy everyday routines. Suggested improvements of the app included automated and personally tailored options for registrations and feedback. The utility of the app also depended on how well it accounted for aspects of participants literacy levels. Conclusions mHealth apps can offer support in incorporating health promoting behaviours and everyday routines as part of lifestyle-based stroke prevention. Increased personalization and tailoring was however important for user satisfaction. Key messages mHealth apps can promote increased awareness of current activity patterns, keep track of lifestyle habits and risk factors and serve as nudging to incorporate healthy everyday routines. Personal relevance and literacy levels are important to consider in stroke prevention mHealth apps to promote motivation to behaviour change and use of mHealth apps.
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