Older adult stroke survivors’ needs and perspectives of a stroke app: a qualitative study

Abstract Background Stroke continues to be the second leading cause of death and a significant contributor to disability globally, with a more pronounced impact on older adults compared to other age groups. Along with evidence that mobile health (mHealth) apps have promising possibilities for suppor...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Wenjing Cao, Afang Li, Azidah Abdul Kadir, Juan Chen, Lanying Chen, Qing Li, Intan Idiana Hassan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-03-01
Series:BMC Geriatrics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-05849-1
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850208507174846464
author Wenjing Cao
Afang Li
Azidah Abdul Kadir
Juan Chen
Lanying Chen
Qing Li
Intan Idiana Hassan
author_facet Wenjing Cao
Afang Li
Azidah Abdul Kadir
Juan Chen
Lanying Chen
Qing Li
Intan Idiana Hassan
author_sort Wenjing Cao
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Stroke continues to be the second leading cause of death and a significant contributor to disability globally, with a more pronounced impact on older adults compared to other age groups. Along with evidence that mobile health (mHealth) apps have promising possibilities for supporting individuals pursuing health and wellness goals, the development of stroke apps is increasing. However, there remains a notable lack of research investigating the needs and perspectives of stroke survivors during the development of such apps. Objective We aimed to describe the needs and perspectives of older adult stroke survivors regarding a stroke app. Methods We employed an empirical phenomenological approach for a qualitative study. Using purposive and snowball sampling, older adult stroke survivors were recruited from three tertiary hospitals in Hunan province. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted between August and October 2024. Data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using Haase's adaptation of Colaizzi's phenomenological method. Findings Thirteen older adult stroke survivors (eight men and five women aged 63–84 years) participated in the study in China. Three main categories and ten subcategories were extracted. The themes were the following: (1) optimism about the app (a good thing and eager to use); (2) desire for an app tailored to the unique (particular to older adults, information at fingertips, and reminding); and (3) concern (privacy issues, more depersonalized interactions with their doctors, the validity of the information provided on the app, cost, and having problems in using the app). Conclusion This study pinpointed crucial factors from users' needs and perspectives that should be considered in developing a mobile app for older adult stroke survivors. Future research on app development should gather users' needs and preferences to enhance acceptability and increase the likelihood of successful implementation.
format Article
id doaj-art-cf04f9d30e7943abae7a24c3fae9ae96
institution OA Journals
issn 1471-2318
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series BMC Geriatrics
spelling doaj-art-cf04f9d30e7943abae7a24c3fae9ae962025-08-20T02:10:13ZengBMCBMC Geriatrics1471-23182025-03-012511910.1186/s12877-025-05849-1Older adult stroke survivors’ needs and perspectives of a stroke app: a qualitative studyWenjing Cao0Afang Li1Azidah Abdul Kadir2Juan Chen3Lanying Chen4Qing Li5Intan Idiana Hassan6Xiangnan University, Hunan ProvinceXiangnan University, Hunan ProvinceDepartment of Family Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains MalaysiaAffiliated Hospital of Xiangnan University, Hunan ProvinceAffiliated Hospital of Xiangnan University, Hunan ProvinceXiangnan University, Hunan ProvinceSchool of Health Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains MalaysiaAbstract Background Stroke continues to be the second leading cause of death and a significant contributor to disability globally, with a more pronounced impact on older adults compared to other age groups. Along with evidence that mobile health (mHealth) apps have promising possibilities for supporting individuals pursuing health and wellness goals, the development of stroke apps is increasing. However, there remains a notable lack of research investigating the needs and perspectives of stroke survivors during the development of such apps. Objective We aimed to describe the needs and perspectives of older adult stroke survivors regarding a stroke app. Methods We employed an empirical phenomenological approach for a qualitative study. Using purposive and snowball sampling, older adult stroke survivors were recruited from three tertiary hospitals in Hunan province. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted between August and October 2024. Data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using Haase's adaptation of Colaizzi's phenomenological method. Findings Thirteen older adult stroke survivors (eight men and five women aged 63–84 years) participated in the study in China. Three main categories and ten subcategories were extracted. The themes were the following: (1) optimism about the app (a good thing and eager to use); (2) desire for an app tailored to the unique (particular to older adults, information at fingertips, and reminding); and (3) concern (privacy issues, more depersonalized interactions with their doctors, the validity of the information provided on the app, cost, and having problems in using the app). Conclusion This study pinpointed crucial factors from users' needs and perspectives that should be considered in developing a mobile app for older adult stroke survivors. Future research on app development should gather users' needs and preferences to enhance acceptability and increase the likelihood of successful implementation.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-05849-1Stroke survivorsNeedsPerceptionMobile healthQualitative research
spellingShingle Wenjing Cao
Afang Li
Azidah Abdul Kadir
Juan Chen
Lanying Chen
Qing Li
Intan Idiana Hassan
Older adult stroke survivors’ needs and perspectives of a stroke app: a qualitative study
BMC Geriatrics
Stroke survivors
Needs
Perception
Mobile health
Qualitative research
title Older adult stroke survivors’ needs and perspectives of a stroke app: a qualitative study
title_full Older adult stroke survivors’ needs and perspectives of a stroke app: a qualitative study
title_fullStr Older adult stroke survivors’ needs and perspectives of a stroke app: a qualitative study
title_full_unstemmed Older adult stroke survivors’ needs and perspectives of a stroke app: a qualitative study
title_short Older adult stroke survivors’ needs and perspectives of a stroke app: a qualitative study
title_sort older adult stroke survivors needs and perspectives of a stroke app a qualitative study
topic Stroke survivors
Needs
Perception
Mobile health
Qualitative research
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-05849-1
work_keys_str_mv AT wenjingcao olderadultstrokesurvivorsneedsandperspectivesofastrokeappaqualitativestudy
AT afangli olderadultstrokesurvivorsneedsandperspectivesofastrokeappaqualitativestudy
AT azidahabdulkadir olderadultstrokesurvivorsneedsandperspectivesofastrokeappaqualitativestudy
AT juanchen olderadultstrokesurvivorsneedsandperspectivesofastrokeappaqualitativestudy
AT lanyingchen olderadultstrokesurvivorsneedsandperspectivesofastrokeappaqualitativestudy
AT qingli olderadultstrokesurvivorsneedsandperspectivesofastrokeappaqualitativestudy
AT intanidianahassan olderadultstrokesurvivorsneedsandperspectivesofastrokeappaqualitativestudy