Smartphone Application Usability Test for Dementia Patients' Primary Caregivers: Pilot Study

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundThe increase in the prevalence of dementia is emerging as a serious social problem by increasing the physical, mental, and social burdens of family caregivers taking care of dementia patients We would like to conduct a preliminary study to evaluate the application design, development, and usability test before conducting a study on the effectiveness of the smartphone application developed for the main caregiver of dementia patients.MethodAfter approval of N university IRB, usability test will be carried out in 2 cycles. We will use the application developed for 10 family caregivers (5 people in 1 cycle) in South Korea aged 18 to 80 years old. We will then collect usability testing surveys on content, interface design, technology etc. either via online (web‐based) or telephone surveys.ResultThe application to be developed in this study will enable key caregivers caring for dementia patients at home to obtain information on dementia knowledge and coping strategies, set physical and mental goals, and monitor their physical and mental status. In addition, through communication within the app, they share information about diseases and care, maintain and improve mental and physical health through emotional support and empathy, and increase coping strategies and care effectiveness.ConclusionThis study is a usability study of a smartphone application developed for caregivers of dementia patients. The results of this study will encourage the use of applications to improve the mental and physical health of caregivers caring for dementia patients, and to improve coping strategies and caring efficacy.