Accessibility of mHealth self-care apps for individuals with spina bifida

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Study explored the accessibility of mobile health (mHealth) system’s software applications (apps) for individuals with spina bifida (SB), focusing on the user interface and navigation, which might affect users’ performance and satisfaction with the system. An innovative mHealth system called iMHere (Internet Mobile Health and Rehabilitation) was developed to support self-care and adherence to self-care regimens for individuals with SB and other complex conditions who are vulnerable to secondary complications. The iMHere system consists of smartphone apps, a clinician portal, and two-way communication connecting the two to support self-management and service delivery. A web-based portal provides clinicians with the ability to monitor individuals’ conditions and send treatment plans to individuals via smartphones. The iMHere apps on smartphones allow individuals to set up reminders according to their preferences, respond to alerts, and report symptoms. Six participants performed tasks related to self-care at home in a lab environment. Though all of the participants were satisfied with the iMHere apps and would use them again in the future, their needs and preferences to access and use iMHere apps differed. Personalization that provides the ability for a participant to modify the appearance of content, such as the size of the icons and the color of text, could be an ideal solution to address potential issues and barriers to accessibility. The importance of personalization and potential strategies for accessibility are discussed.

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