Pilot feasibility of an mHealth system for conducting ecological momentary assessment of mood-related symptoms following traumatic brain injury. (19th September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Juengst, Shannon B.; Graham, Kristin M.; Pulantara, I. Wayan; McCue, Michael; Whyte, Ellen M.; Dicianno, Brad E.; Parmanto, Bambang; Arenth, Patricia M.; Skidmore, Elizabeth R. D.; Wagner, Amy K.
• Is Part Of: Brain injury. Volume 29:Number 11(2015)
• Page Start: 1351
• Page End: 1361
• Publication Date: 2015-09-19
• Subjects: Depression -- mental health assessments -- rehabilomics -- telehealth tools -- traumatic brain injury; Brain damage -- Periodicals; Brain -- Wounds and injuries -- Periodicals; Brain Injuries -- Periodicals; 617.481
• DOI: 10.3109/02699052.2015.1045031
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-9052

Abstract

Abstract: Objective : This study assessed pilot feasibility and validity of a mobile health (mHealth) system for tracking mood-related symptoms after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Design : A prospective, repeated measures design was used to assess compliance with daily ecological momentary assessments (EMA) conducted via a smartphone application over an 8-week period. Methods : An mHealth system was developed specifically for individuals with TBI and utilized previously validated tools for depressive and anxiety symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7). Feasibility was assessed in 20 community-dwelling adults with TBI via an assessment of compliance, satisfaction and usability of the smartphone applications. The authors also developed and implemented a clinical patient safety management mechanism for those endorsing suicidality. Results : Participants correctly completed 73.4% of all scheduled assessments, demonstrating good compliance. Daily assessments took <2 minutes to complete. Participants reported high satisfaction with smartphone applications (6.3 of 7) and found them easy to use (6.2 of 7). Comparison of assessments obtained via telephone-based interview and EMA demonstrated high correlations ( r = 0.81–0.97), supporting the validity of conducting these assessments via smartphone application in this population. Conclusions : EMA conducted via smartphone demonstrates initial feasibility among adults with TBI and presents numerous opportunities for long-term monitoring of mood-related symptoms in real-world settings.