%0 Journal Article
%@ 2291-5222
%I JMIR Publications
%V 8
%N 8
%P e18506
%T Beneficial Features of a mHealth Asthma App for Children and Caregivers: Qualitative Study
%A Iio,Misa
%A Miyaji,Yumiko
%A Yamamoto-Hanada,Kiwako
%A Narita,Masami
%A Nagata,Mayumi
%A Ohya,Yukihiro
%+ College of Nursing, Kanto Gakuin University, 1-50-1 Mutsuurahigashi, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, 236-8503, Japan, 81 45 786 5641, misaiio@kanto-gakuin.ac.jp
%K children
%K caregivers
%K asthma
%K mobile app
%K proposed beneficial features
%D 2020
%7 24.8.2020
%9 Original Paper
%J JMIR Mhealth Uhealth
%G English
%X Background: mHealth and uHealth apps are available for children with asthma and their caregivers. However, previous studies on mHealth apps for children older than 7 years old with asthma are limited, and most studies on asthma apps do not consider interactions involving communication between children and caregivers. Therefore, a prototype mHealth child asthma app was developed for children and their caregivers, with features of tailored feedback messages in continuing self-management and interactions between children and caregivers. Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the beneficial features of a prototype mHealth app developed for children with asthma and their caregivers. Methods: Children diagnosed with persistent asthma by allergy specialists at the National Center for Child Health and Development were recruited. The features of a prototype mHealth app for children with asthma and their caregivers were investigated using semistructured interviews after they tried the app. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Content-characteristic words were named and grouped together as categories to explore themes. Results: We recruited 27 children with asthma aged 2 to 12 years and 26 their caregivers. Findings on the good aspects of the app for children older than 7 years old and caregivers suggested 4 themes (confirmation of asthma knowledge, child-caregiver interaction, design of the app, and child’s interest), and 6 categories were identified. Findings on the good aspects of app for children 7 to 12 years old and caregivers suggested 5 themes (new knowledge, manga as a Japanese-style comic, child’s interest, trigger of self-management, and design and operability), and 11 categories were identified. Findings on the beneficial features of app suggested 6 themes (asthma knowledge, elements for continuous, universal design, notification, monitoring, and functions), and 12 categories were identified. Conclusions: Children with asthma and their caregivers perceived that the good aspects of the app were learning asthma knowledge with fun, including manga; interaction between child and caregiver; and easy-to-read design, such as colors. They wanted not only the asthma knowledge but also the universal design and enhanced elements, monitoring, and notification functions of the app. 
%M 32831181
%R 10.2196/18506
%U http://mhealth.jmir.org/2020/8/e18506/
%U https://doi.org/10.2196/18506
%U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32831181