CareQOL Mobile App: A Low Burden, Mobile-App Based Intervention for Care Partners of People with Traumatic Brain Injury

Research Objectives: To evaluate a low burden, mobile app-based intervention (CareQOL app) designed to improve health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of care partners of people with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Design: Randomized controlled trial. Participants completed a baseline assessment with caregiver HRQOL measures, followed by a 6-month home monitoring period (HMP) with 3 daily HRQOL questions and Fitbit®-based estimates of sleep and physical activity. Monthly HRQOL and 3- and 6-month post-HMP surveys were completed.

Setting: Academic Medical Centers. Participants completed study assessments at home.

Participants: 254 care partners (n=128 Arm 1 and n=126 Arm 2). Participants were at least 18, provided care to a person with a documented complicated mild, moderate or severe TBI, comprehended English, and used their own mobile devices.

Interventions: The CareQOL app integrated sensor data from the Fitbit® with daily self-report ratings of HRQOL and displayed the data on the app for access at any time. Study Arms 1 and 2 accessed the CareQOL app for self-monitoring, and Study Arm 2 participants also received push notifications that encouraged self-care.

Main Outcome Measures: Caregiver Strain, Caregiver-Specific Anxiety, Anger, Anxiety, Depression, Fatigue, Perceived Stress, Self-efficacy, Positive Affect, Social Participation, Sleep-Related Impairment, Global Health.

Results: 234 care partners completed the study (92%). Although the two Study Arms did not differ on HRQOL outcomes over the course of the study, participants who were more engaged were more likely to show improvements than those who were not engaged (regardless of the study arm).

Conclusions: The CareQOL app provided some improvements in HRQOL for participants with higher engagement. Future work is needed to improve this intervention and participant engagement with the CareQOL app.

Author(s) Disclosures: None.