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Bruschetta R, Latella D, Formica C, Campisi S, Failla C, Marino F, Iacono Isidoro S, Giambò FM, Bonanno L, Cerasa A, Quartarone A, Marino S, Pioggia G, Calabrò RS, Tartarisco G. "BrainHeart": Pilot Study on a Novel Application for Elderly Well-Being Based on Mindfulness Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Bioengineering (Basel) 2024; 11:787. [PMID: 39199745 PMCID: PMC11351599 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering11080787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2024] [Revised: 07/24/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The rising prevalence of mental illness is straining global mental health systems, particularly affecting older adults who often face deteriorating physical health and decreased autonomy and quality of life. Early detection and targeted rehabilitation are crucial in mitigating these challenges. Mindfulness acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) holds promise for enhancing motivation and well-being among the elderly, although delivering such psychological interventions is hindered by limited access to services, prompting exploration of remote delivery options like mobile applications. In this paper, we introduce the BrainHeart App (v.1.1.8), a mobile application tailored to improve physical and mental well-being in seniors. The app features a 10-day ACT program and other sections promoting healthy lifestyle. In a pilot study involving twenty participants, individuals engaged in daily mental exercises for 10 days using the app. Clinical evaluations, including assessments of psychological flexibility, overall cognitive profile, mindfulness disposition, cognitive fusion, and heart rate collected with Polar H10, were conducted at baseline (T0) and one month post-intervention (T1). Analysis revealed significant improvements in almost all neuropsychological scores, with high usability reported (system usability scale average score: 82.3 ± 9.31). Additionally, a negative correlation was found between usability and experiential avoidance (r = -0.51; p = 0.026), and a notable difference in heart rate was observed between baseline and post-intervention (F-value = 3.06; p-value = 0.09). These findings suggest that mindfulness-ACT exercises delivered via the BrainHeart App can enhance the well-being of elderly individuals, highlighting the potential of remote interventions in addressing mental health needs in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Bruschetta
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, C/O via Leanza, Istituto Marino, Mortelle, 98164 Messina, Italy; (R.B.); (S.C.); (C.F.); (F.M.); (S.I.I.); (G.P.)
| | - Desiree Latella
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi “Bonino-Pulejo”, via Palermo S.S. 113—C.da Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy; (C.F.); (F.M.G.); (L.B.); (A.Q.); (S.M.); (R.S.C.)
| | - Caterina Formica
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi “Bonino-Pulejo”, via Palermo S.S. 113—C.da Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy; (C.F.); (F.M.G.); (L.B.); (A.Q.); (S.M.); (R.S.C.)
| | - Simona Campisi
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, C/O via Leanza, Istituto Marino, Mortelle, 98164 Messina, Italy; (R.B.); (S.C.); (C.F.); (F.M.); (S.I.I.); (G.P.)
- C.O.T. Cure Ortopediche Traumatologiche S.P.A, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Chiara Failla
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, C/O via Leanza, Istituto Marino, Mortelle, 98164 Messina, Italy; (R.B.); (S.C.); (C.F.); (F.M.); (S.I.I.); (G.P.)
| | - Flavia Marino
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, C/O via Leanza, Istituto Marino, Mortelle, 98164 Messina, Italy; (R.B.); (S.C.); (C.F.); (F.M.); (S.I.I.); (G.P.)
| | - Serena Iacono Isidoro
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, C/O via Leanza, Istituto Marino, Mortelle, 98164 Messina, Italy; (R.B.); (S.C.); (C.F.); (F.M.); (S.I.I.); (G.P.)
| | - Fabio Mauro Giambò
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi “Bonino-Pulejo”, via Palermo S.S. 113—C.da Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy; (C.F.); (F.M.G.); (L.B.); (A.Q.); (S.M.); (R.S.C.)
| | - Lilla Bonanno
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi “Bonino-Pulejo”, via Palermo S.S. 113—C.da Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy; (C.F.); (F.M.G.); (L.B.); (A.Q.); (S.M.); (R.S.C.)
| | - Antonio Cerasa
- Institute of BioImaging and Complex Biological Systems (IBSBC-CNR), via T. Campanella, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy;
- S. Anna Institute, 88900 Crotone, Italy
| | - Angelo Quartarone
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi “Bonino-Pulejo”, via Palermo S.S. 113—C.da Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy; (C.F.); (F.M.G.); (L.B.); (A.Q.); (S.M.); (R.S.C.)
| | - Silvia Marino
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi “Bonino-Pulejo”, via Palermo S.S. 113—C.da Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy; (C.F.); (F.M.G.); (L.B.); (A.Q.); (S.M.); (R.S.C.)
| | - Giovanni Pioggia
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, C/O via Leanza, Istituto Marino, Mortelle, 98164 Messina, Italy; (R.B.); (S.C.); (C.F.); (F.M.); (S.I.I.); (G.P.)
| | - Rocco Salvatore Calabrò
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi “Bonino-Pulejo”, via Palermo S.S. 113—C.da Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy; (C.F.); (F.M.G.); (L.B.); (A.Q.); (S.M.); (R.S.C.)
| | - Gennaro Tartarisco
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, C/O via Leanza, Istituto Marino, Mortelle, 98164 Messina, Italy; (R.B.); (S.C.); (C.F.); (F.M.); (S.I.I.); (G.P.)
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