Mobile Application for Digital Health Coaching in the Self-Management of Older Adults with Multiple Chronic Conditions: A Development and Usability Study

Article information

Healthc Inform Res. 2024;30(4):344-354

Publication date (electronic) : 2024 October 31

doi : https://doi.org/10.4258/hir.2024.30.4.344

Ga Eun Park^1,2, Yeon-Hwan Park^1,3, Kwang Gi Kim⁴, Jeong Yun Park⁵, Minhwa Hwang¹, Seonghyeon Lee¹

¹College of Nursing, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea

²Center for World-leading Human-care Nurse Leaders for the Future by Brain Korea 21 Four Project, College of Nursing, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea

³The Research Institute of Nursing Science, College of Nursing, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea

⁴Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine, Gachon University, Incheon, Korea

⁵Department of Clinical Nursing, University of Ulsan, Seoul, Korea

Corresponding Author: Yeon-Hwan Park, College of Nursing, Seoul National University, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongo-gu, Seoul 03080, Korea. Tel: +82-2-740-8846, E-mail: hanipyh@snu.ac.kr (http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5236-6683)

Received 2024 July 20; Revised 2024 October 16; Revised 2024 October 21; Accepted 2024 October 22.

Abstract

I. Introduction

The proportion of older adults (those aged 65 years and older) is rapidly increasing worldwide, especially in South Korea, where it is expected to exceed 40% by 2050 [1]. Alongside this demographic shift, the prevalence of chronic diseases has risen as well; in 2020, 84.0% of older adults in South Korea were reported to have at least one chronic disease, and 54.9% were dealing with two or more chronic diseases, a situation referred to as multiple chronic conditions [1]. The increase in the number of older adults living with multiple chronic conditions highlights the importance of self-management. While research has extensively documented the prevalence, mortality rates, and financial burdens of these diseases, the literature includes a relative lack of emphasis on providing effective support for affected individuals and populations [2].

Aging societies, the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, and digital transformation have rapidly revolutionized the global healthcare system. Digital health technologies, including mobile health, telehealth, and wearable devices, are promising tools for promoting health and managing chronic diseases among older adults [3]. Digital health technology offers a cost-effective solution that overcomes traditional barriers such as distance and time, facilitates access to healthcare, and supports self-management through behavioral changes [4].

Despite the benefits of digital health technologies, previous studies have shown that about half of older adults discontinue using mobile health applications (apps) within 2 weeks, underscoring their limited acceptance in this demographic [5]. Therefore, when developing apps for older adults, it is essential to prioritize usability by considering the natural changes of aging, including declines in vision, hearing, motor skills, and cognition [6,7]. Additionally, for effective digital health interventions, it is necessary to utilize digital health coaching strategies that comprise digital engagement, communication with healthcare providers, and human contact [8]. Digital health coaching, which combines digital technologies with health coaching, provides personalized healthcare feedback and motivation, effectively promoting health behavior changes and improving self-management for older adults with chronic diseases [9].

Usability is a key factor in the adoption of digital health technologies. Usability testing represents a crucial step in app development; however, it is often overlooked even in the context of the enormous recent increase in mobile health apps [5]. Furthermore, previous research indicates a lack of comprehensive description of the development process for mobile health apps targeting older adults, indicating a need for studies to improve productivity and reduce the waste of resources and time [10].

Accordingly, our objective was to develop an age-friendly self-management mobile application that incorporates digital health coaching strategies for older adults with multiple chronic conditions. Additionally, we evaluated the app’s usability.

II. Methods

This developmental study aimed to develop and assess the usability of a mobile application, HAHA2022, an acronym for “Happy Aging, Healthy Aging 2022.”

2. Evaluation (Usability Testing)

HAHA2022 was evaluated by two groups: an expert panel and a sample of older adults, who represent the application’s intended user base. In alignment with Nielsen’s findings [19], the usability test included eight expert panel members and 10 older adults. All measurements used received approval from the original authors and the Korean translators.

1) Expert panel

The expert panel comprised eight professionals: two professors of gerontological nursing, a professor of nursing informatics, a professor of medical engineering, a nursing researcher who had developed a mobile healthcare app, a community healthcare specialist, and two nurses at a senior welfare center. The evaluation of HAHA2022 utilized the Korean version of the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS) [20]. The MARS is a widely recognized tool for assessing the quality of mobile health applications, demonstrating reliability and high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.90) [21]. It comprises 23 items across five quality subscales: engagement, functionality, aesthetics, information, and subjective quality. Each item is rated using a 5-point Likert scale (1, inadequate; 2, poor; 3, acceptable; 4, good; 5, excellent), with scores above 3 indicating high quality.

2) User participants

To evaluate the usability of the mobile app, convenience sampling was employed to recruit older adults from a single representative senior welfare center in Seoul, South Korea. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) being 65 years of age or older; (2) having no cognitive impairments that could interfere with study participation, as indicated by the Korean version of Mini-Mental State Examination score above 24; (3) having a diagnosis of two or more chronic diseases and being on at least one medication; and (4) having experience with two-way communication via smartphone-based social network services.

HAHA2022 was also assessed using a Korean translation of the user version of the MARS (uMARS) [22]. This scale consists of 26 items across six quality subscales: engagement, functionality, aesthetics, information quality, subjective quality, and perceived impact. It has demonstrated high internal consistency, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.90 [23]. Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale, where 1 indicates “inadequate” and 5 signifies “excellent.”

Data collection for the usability evaluation of the HAHA2022 app, designed for older adults with multiple chronic conditions, occurred in July 2022. Ten older adults, ranging in age from 65 to 79 years (90% of whom were female), used the app for 2 weeks and participated in the usability test. Participant characteristics are detailed in Table 1. Research assistants, who were not affiliated with the study, were recruited and received training on the study’s procedures and measurements prior to data collection. Following training, they conducted in-person, one-on-one usability evaluations with the participants.

Table 1

Demographic characteristics of older adults (n = 10)

III. Results

1. Development

The HAHA2022 app was developed to support older adults with multiple chronic conditions via a health coaching strategy. It features five main menus: Home, Action Plan, Education, Health Log, and Community, detailed in Figure 1 and Table 2.

Figure 1

Screenshots of the HAHA2022 application.

Table 2

Overview of the HAHA2022 application

The Home menu presents a weekly action plan and displays graphs indicating the status of achievements. It also features icons that link to the Health Log submenus, which display daily recorded data. As reported by Lorig et al. [24], an action plan is an effective tool for improving health behavior and self-efficacy. In the present study, participants could set personalized goals in one-on-one sessions with nurse health coaches over the phone. Their progress was then monitored through graphs in the Action Plan. The Health Log menu includes sections for Physical Activity, Medication, Nutrition, and Sleep. Participants can log their daily steps, medication intake, meals, and both the duration and quality of sleep. Daily steps are automatically recorded by a wearable device (smart band).

The daily logs provided in the app are evaluated through a progress display and can be monitored on an administration website by the research team. The Education menu includes videos that correspond to the weekly action plan. For each topic, participants can watch a 20-minute main video and four shorter additional videos, each approximately 5 minutes long, which reinforce the key messages of the main video. Table 3 presents a detailed list of the video contents. The videos were produced by the research team using PowerPoint presentations with voice-over narration. Participants could also replay past videos as needed. Upon completing a quiz or photo-upload mission after watching the videos, participants receive positive feedback. Additional resources, such as articles and authorized video links on chronic disease self-management, are also provided. The Community menu includes a bulletin board where all participants can post, upload photos, comment, and “like” posts, fostering interaction with other participants and the research team. These interactive features are designed to keep users engaged and connected, enhancing their experience with the app.

Table 3

Contents of the mobile application

Based on a literature review of UI and UX design for mobile apps targeting older adults [5–8], the HAHA2022 app was planned with the physical and cognitive challenges of this demographic in mind. The review informed the initial design, enabling us to incorporate features promoting user-centered design for an older adults. Specifically, the app featured large fonts, minimal text, a limited color palette for visual clarity, and audio alternatives such as text-to-speech functionality. Additionally, to address motor coordination issues, it employed simple touchscreen gestures, such as swiping and tapping, and avoided complex gestures like pinch-to-zoom. To accommodate declines in memory and attention, we shortened the length of videos, provided a large and straightforward layout, placed main menus on the home screen, and used clear buttons with an intuitive structure. Complex jargon and English words were substituted with simpler Korean terms to facilitate ease of understanding. Throughout the development process, regular consultations were held with system developers, UI/UX designers, and gerontological nursing experts. These panels provided ongoing feedback that led to continuous refinements, ensuring the app remained user-friendly and appropriate for older adults. Revisions were made iteratively based on this expert feedback, with an emphasis on maintaining an age-friendly and user-centered design.

2. Evaluation (Usability Testing)

1) Expert panel

Eight expert panel members evaluated the HAHA2022 app, providing feedback on its content and offering advice. The mean scores for engagement, functionality, aesthetics, information, and subjective quality were 3.98, 4.41, 4.46, 4.24, and 3.91, respectively (Table 4). Regarding the items within the subscales, the highest average score pertained to ease of use and graphics, while the lowest was for willingness to pay. There was also feedback that peer group support through community features could increases motivation for self-management. Furthermore, since the wearable device is currently limited to tracking physical activities, it was suggested that adding more sensors and features to monitor sleep and diet would be beneficial.

Table 4

Usability evaluation of HAHA2022 by an expert panel

2) User participants

The HAHA2022 app was distributed to participants and installed on their smartphones as an APK file. After receiving detailed instructions on how to use the app, participants were provided an A4-sized handbook that provided a step-by-step tutorial for each feature. This included guidance on connecting the smart band, entering health records, and contacting the research team for technical support, illustrated with screenshots. The handbook was designed with larger fonts, simplified language, and clear visual aids to accommodate the needs of older users. A designer with a fine arts background created the illustrations, while a geriatric nursing professor reviewed the content to ensure its relevance and clarity. Participants were also given a wearable device (smart band) to monitor their physical activity, which was linked to the app. They set weekly goals and established action plans for medication adherence and maintaining a healthy diet. Additionally, they watched daily educational videos; maintained health logs on physical activity, medication intake, nutrition, and sleep; and executed their weekly action plans.

The users also interacted with other participants or research team members by utilizing the community feature, where they could upload posts or photos and leave comments or likes. The research team, consisting of nurses, offered motivation and personalized health coaching feedback through weekly telephone calls lasting about 15 minutes. The team also guided participants on obtaining technical assistance when necessary. All participants accessed the app daily and logged their health data for 2 weeks.

The mean quality scores for the app in engagement, functionality, aesthetics, information, and subjective quality were 4.32, 4.55, 4.57, 4.70, and 3.73, respectively (Table 5). Regarding items within these subscales, each information item achieved a mean of 4.7 points, while gestural design received the highest score at 5.0. The item with the lowest score was willingness to pay, at 2.30 ± 1.25. The perceived impact of the app on chronic disease self-management was rated at 4.23 ± 0.53.

Table 5

Usability evaluation of HAHA2022 by older adults

IV. Discussion

This study reports the development and evaluation of a mobile application designed for digital health coaching on self-management in older adults with multiple chronic conditions. The application, HAHA2022, received high usability ratings from both an expert panel and a group of older adults, suggesting that it is a well-designed and user-friendly app for older adults.

Previous research evaluating lifestyle management apps using the Korean MARS reported an average score of 3.4 [25]. In comparison, HAHA2022 received higher average scores, at 4.20 from the expert panel and 4.37 from users. Experts and users provided similar overall scores, with users assigning slightly higher ratings. The expert panel gave the highest scores for “aesthetics,” while users rated “information” highest.

Previous research [26] indicates that experts focus on aesthetic factors such as layout, colors, graphic design, and visual appeal when evaluating apps. This suggests that HAHA2022 was perceived as orderly, well-designed, and professional. The fact that users assigned the highest score to “information” suggests that HAHA2022 contains credible content, which may be augmented by the digital health coaching delivered via telephone call by nurse members of the research team.

In addition to these assessments, we collected qualitative feedback through open-ended questions, which allowed participants to share their thoughts on the app’s usability. For instance, some users noted occasional errors in step tracking synchronization. In response, we worked with the developers to update the system, improving the sync between the smart band and the app. Any data that were not properly collected were manually entered by the research team via the admin web page. Separately, in response to comments about video playback, we advised users of the option to enlarge the video for a more comfortable viewing experience by clicking the full-screen button. Many participants reported satisfaction with the app, describing it as user-friendly and helpful. Some even indicated that they would recommend it to friends.

Among the sub-items of uMARS evaluated by users, “target group” and “willingness to use” received the highest scores. This outcome is promising, especially considering that previous research has shown a gradual decline in technology usage among older adults regarding digital health interventions [10]. Additionally, the expert panel awarded the highest score to “ease of use.” These findings suggest that the HAHA2022 app is well-suited for older adults, featuring age-friendly design elements such as large fonts, simplified gestures, and intuitive layouts to mitigate physical and cognitive challenges. Such design ensures that the app effectively delivers content that is realistic and engaging, accommodating the diverse levels of technological proficiency found among older adults. The results also imply that the combination of digital health coaching with age-friendly features represented an effective strategy. Usability is a key factor in the adoption of healthcare mobile apps, and it is anticipated to improve self-management and well-being in the older adult population [5].

Despite the overall positive feedback, the low willingness-to-pay scores from experts and users indicate that the cost of digital devices and internet services represents a major barrier to technology adoption [27]. The technology must be user-friendly, functional, and affordable. Prior research underscores the importance of considering economic factors when designing healthcare technologies for older adults, as high costs can hinder their adoption of new technologies [28]. This also suggests the need for financing strategies; for instance, our research team provided data coupons to all participants to ensure stable internet access. Moreover, payment plans may be perceived as burdensome by older adults who do not see an immediate or clear need for these technologies [28]. Accordingly, an alternative approach could be to more effectively communicate the long-term financial benefits of healthcare technologies to older adults. This would improve their understanding of potential savings overall and encourage their investment in managing future healthcare expenses.

The app’s influence on chronic disease self-management was markedly positive, reflected by an average score of 4.23. It includes features such as health logging, educational content, reminders, and digital health coaching strategies—such as communication, human interaction, and personalization—all of which support effective self-management in older adults. Nevertheless, further research is needed to confirm the app’s long-term effectiveness in managing multiple chronic conditions in this population. Moreover, digital health coaching is resource-intensive, posing challenges to scalability. This obstacle may be overcome by thoughtfully incorporating advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence.

This study has several limitations and carries implications for future research. First, the generalizability of the results is constrained due to the study being conducted at a single institution. Second, given the growing number of digital health technology studies focusing on older adults, we recommend involving this demographic in the design and development stages to promote a user-centered approach. Third, self-reported data could be better complemented by collecting additional person-generated health data, such as blood pressure and blood glucose levels, sleep cycles, and electrocardiogram readings, through various digital technologies.

The high usability score of HAHA2022 indicates its potential to bridge the digital divide in self-management for older adults by utilizing digital health technologies. Its age-friendly features and digital health coaching capabilities could promote both the successful adoption and ongoing use of the mobile health app among this demographic, thus helping to prevent digital disparities and health inequities.

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