Usability and feasibility of a tablet-based e-coach for older adults in rehabilitation units to improve nutrition and physical activity: a prospective pilot study

For older adults (≥ 70 years), it is often challenging to maintain new nutrition and physical activity behaviours learned in rehabilitation. To minimize the risk of negative health consequences when returning home, an e-coach can be helpful. Aligning the program with an established concept such as the Transtheoretical Model of Behaviour Change (TTM) and guidance from healthcare professionals can optimize behaviour change.

This prospective single-arm pilot study aimed to assess the usability and feasibility of a nutrition and mobility e-coach for older adults during and after rehabilitation for a period of 9 weeks. In addition, we examined the change in the TTM phase as an indicator of the participant’s readiness to change or the changes made.

Older adults (≥ 70 years) with nutrition deficits and/ or mobility limitations were recruited in a rehabilitation centre. Participants’ phases of behaviour change in the TTM were identified by comparing current nutrition and physical activity habits via self-report with age-specific nutrition and physical activity recommendations. They received a tablet with the e-coach containing educational and interactive elements on the topics of nutrition and physical activity in older age. Participants used the e-coach and received support from healthcare professionals. The TTM phases were assessed at five times; the e-coach content was adjusted accordingly. Usability was assessed using the System Usability Scale (SUS, Score range: 0-100). Timestamps were used to evaluate how frequently participants used the e-coach: high (≥ 67% of the days), medium (66 − 33% of the days), and low (< 33% of the days).

Approximately 140 patients were approached and n = 30 recruited. Complete data sets of n = 21 persons were analysed (38% female, mean age 79.0 ± 6.0 years). The SUS was 78.6 points, 11 participants (42%) were classified as high users, 6 (39%) as medium users and 4 (19%) as low users. After nine weeks, 15 participants (71%) achieved the physical activity recommendations (baseline: 33%, n = 7). Nutrition recommendations were achieved by 14 participants (66%) after nine weeks (baseline: 24%, n = 5).

The e-coach seems to be usable and feasible for older adults. We identified some optimization potentials for our application that can be transferred to the development of comparable e-health interventions for vulnerable older adults.