Smartphone-Based Spiritual Support Applications to Overcome Anxiety in Emergency Unit Nurses during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Extended Rapid Application Development

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Spiritual assistance cannot be provided ideally to emergency room (ER) nurses facing anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is because of the clergy’s restrictions and the available time. AIM: This study aimed to develop an independently usable smartphone-based spiritual support application. METHODS: This study is an extensive rapid application development (ERAD). Four specialists in spirituality, music, psychology, and information technology evaluated the Muzida Spiritual Support (MSS) prototype’s validity and reliability. Thirty-two ER nurses who handle COVID-19 patients were subjected to prototype acceptance tests. RESULTS: The content validity test demonstrates a high level of accessibility for content accuracy (0.9), rhythm and tempo compatibility (0.8), and the relaxing impact that results (0.8). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) values indicate that the MSS application is reliable (0.71). The mean ± standard deviation (SD) application interface score 7.84 ± 1.25, the voice clarity aspect 8.9 ± 1.28, the ease of use 7.56 ± 1.31, the effect on reducing anxiety 7.65 ± 1.21, the boost effect 8.0 ± 1.16, the happiness effect 8.03 ± 1.32, and the calming effect 8.1 ± 1.32. The mean ± SD acceptance score is 8.06 ± 0.44, indicating that the user can run MSS very well. CONCLUSION: The prototype of the MSS application has adequate validity, reliability, and acceptability, so it is suitable for use as a therapy.