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Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2019

Open Access 01-12-2019 | Study protocol

A multi-centre, randomized, 3-month study to evaluate the efficacy of a smartphone app to increase caregiver’s positive mental health

Authors: Carme Ferré-Grau, Laia Raigal-Aran, Jael Lorca-Cabrera, Maria Ferré-Bergadá, Mar Lleixà-Fortuño, Maria Teresa Lluch-Canut, Montserrat Puig-Llobet, Núria Albacar-Riobóo

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2019

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Abstract

Background

To assess the effectiveness of a smartphone app-based intervention compared to a regular intervention of caregivers in primary health care institutions. The intervention is aimed at increasing positive mental health and decreasing caregiver’s burden.

Methods/design

Randomized and controlled trial with an experimental group and a control group. Subjects: 108 caregivers over 18, with a minimum of 4 months of experience as caregivers. Description of the intervention: an intervention with a smartphone app (n = 54) or a regular intervention for caregivers (n = 54). Each caregiver installs a smartphone app and uses it for 28 days. This app offers them a daily activity (Monday-Friday). These activities are related to the Decalogue of Positive Mental Health, which was designed ad hoc by a group of experts. The outcomes will be the score of caregiver burden, the positive mental health and participant satisfaction. These results will be assessed after the first, third and sixth month.

Discussion

The results of this study will offer evidence of the effectiveness of an intervention using a free smartphone app. If its effectiveness is proven and the results are acceptable, this could lead to a rethinking of the intervention offered to caregivers in primary care.

Trial registration

Clinical Register ISRCTN14818443 (date: 24/05/2019).
Literature
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go back to reference Ferré-Grau C, Sevilla-Casado M, Lleixá-Fortuño M, Aparicio-Casals MR, Cid-Buera D, Rodero-Sanchez V, et al. Effectiveness of problem-solving technique in caring for family caregivers: a clinical trial study in an urban area of Catalonia (Spain). J Clin Nurs. 2014;23:288–95. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.12485.CrossRefPubMed Ferré-Grau C, Sevilla-Casado M, Lleixá-Fortuño M, Aparicio-Casals MR, Cid-Buera D, Rodero-Sanchez V, et al. Effectiveness of problem-solving technique in caring for family caregivers: a clinical trial study in an urban area of Catalonia (Spain). J Clin Nurs. 2014;23:288–95. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1111/​jocn.​12485.CrossRefPubMed
16.
go back to reference Lluch Canut MT, Gómez Benito J, Peris Pascual MD, Universitat de Barcelona. Departament de Metodologia de les Ciències del Comportament. Construcción de una escala para evaluar la salud mental positiva: Universitat de Barcelona; 2004. https://www.tdx.cat/handle/10803/2366. Accessed 18 Feb 2019 Lluch Canut MT, Gómez Benito J, Peris Pascual MD, Universitat de Barcelona. Departament de Metodologia de les Ciències del Comportament. Construcción de una escala para evaluar la salud mental positiva: Universitat de Barcelona; 2004. https://​www.​tdx.​cat/​handle/​10803/​2366. Accessed 18 Feb 2019
Metadata
Title
A multi-centre, randomized, 3-month study to evaluate the efficacy of a smartphone app to increase caregiver’s positive mental health
Authors
Carme Ferré-Grau
Laia Raigal-Aran
Jael Lorca-Cabrera
Maria Ferré-Bergadá
Mar Lleixà-Fortuño
Maria Teresa Lluch-Canut
Montserrat Puig-Llobet
Núria Albacar-Riobóo
Publication date
01-12-2019
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-7264-5

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