Psychiatric rehabilitation through teaching smartphone skills to improve functional outcomes in serious mental illness

Impact of AI-Powered Solutions in Rehabilitation Process: Recent Improvements and Future Trends

Rehabilitation is an important and necessary part of local and global healthcare services along with treatment and palliative care, prevention of disease, and promotion of good health. The rehabilitation process helps older and young adults even children to become as independent as possible in activities of daily life and enables participation in useful living activities, recreation, work, and education. The technology of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has evolved significantly in recent years. Many activities related to rehabilitation have been getting benefits from using AI techniques. The objective of this review study is to explore the advantages of AI for rehabilitation and how AI is impacting the rehabilitation process. This study aims at the most critical aspects of the rehabilitation process that could potentially take advantage of AI techniques including personalized rehabilitation apps, rehabilitation through assistance, rehabilitation for neurological disorders, rehabilitation for developmental disorders, virtual reality rehabilitation, rehabilitation of neurodegenerative diseases and Telerehabilitation of Cardiovascular. We presented a survey on the newest empirical studies available in the literature including the AI-based technology helpful in the Rehabilitation process. The novelty feature included but was not limited to an overview of the technological solutions useful in rehabilitation. Seven different categories were identified. Illustrative examples of practical applications were detailed. Implications of the findings for both research and practice were critically discussed. Most of the AI applications in these rehabilitation types are in their infancy and continue to grow while exploring new opportunities. Therefore, we investigate the role of AI technology in rehabilitation processes. In addition, we do statistical analysis of the selected studies to highlight the significance of this review work. In the end, we also present a discussion on some challenges, and future research directions.

Integrated Digital Mental Health Care: A Vision for Addressing Population Mental Health Needs

The unmet need for mental health care continues to rise across the world. This article synthesizes the evidence supporting the components of a hypothetical model of integrated digital mental health care to meet population-wide mental health needs. This proposed model integrates two approaches to broadening timely access to effective care: integrated, primary care-based mental health services and digital mental health tools. The model solves for several of the key challenges historically faced by digital health, through promoting digital literacy and access, the curation of evidence-based digital tools, integration into clinical practice, and electronic medical record integration. This model builds upon momentum toward the integration of mental health services within primary care and aligns with the principles of the Collaborative Care Model. Finally, the authors present the major next steps toward implementation of integrated digital mental health care at scale.

Use of mobile learning applications as an innovative method for the teaching of biochemistry

BACKGROUND

Traditional teaching methods of biochemistry provide effective tools for knowledge transmission, but are considered less engaging with students. Smartphone applications may provide suitable alternatives to compensate for the shortcomings of traditional teaching methods.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of smartphone applications as a complementary method for learning biochemistry.

METHODOLOGY

A total of 32 students, from the College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Bisha, Saudi Arabia, were recruited. Students used available mobile applications, and their performance was monitored through assignments, presentations, practical evaluations, and pre- and post-tests. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used to survey the students' perceptions. It was validated by students enrolled at the College of Applied Medical Science, interns, and medical educators. It was checked for item appropriateness and comprehensiveness using face and content validity.

RESULTS

Around 75% of the students found the mobile applications useful in learning biochemistry, 50% believed that they were easy to use and 100% believed that the breadth of the knowledge presented by these applications was comprehensive. The pedagogical effect of the use of mobile applications in learning biochemistry showed statistically significant differences in student performances post-use and pre-use of mobile applications with P values of 0.000, 0.028, 0.023, and 0.000 for tests, assignments, practical evaluation, and presentations, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Students have a positive perception of the use of mobile applications, as it has significantly improved their academic performance in biochemistry.

Working towards a ready to implement digital literacy program

Background

As healthcare continues to expand online and digital care offerings multiply, the importance of digital inclusion and equity is now better recognized. Yet despite impressive regional grassroots efforts, today there remain few readily deployable programs designed to support patient digital literacy.

Methods

Digital Outreach for Obtaining Resources and Skills (DOORs) is one such digital literacy program that has evolved over the last 5 years to meet the rising demand. Through community partnerships, the DOORs curriculum and delivery has been updated to make the program more accessible and applicable as Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) changes healthcare. Participants' experience in the most updated iteration of DOORS was assessed through surveys and semi-structured interviews.

Results

Improvements to DOORs include an updated DOORs curriculum, updated facilitator manual, an online platform with a learning management system, standardized training, patient-facing educational handouts, consolidation of all DOORs materials into a single package that is ready to be shared with other groups, implementation of a single-session intervention model, and Spanish translation. Participants reported improved confidence on 72% of the digital skills assessed. Thematic analysis resulted in three themes: awareness of divide, patient-centered design, and expanded skills and confidence.

Conclusions

Combined, these changes and participant outcomes better position DOORS to meet the rising need for digital literacy and offers a scalable model for teams across the world.

Impact of Digital Literacy Training on Outcomes for People With Serious Mental Illness in Community and Inpatient Settings

OBJECTIVE

The authors explored whether a digital literacy program, Digital Outreach for Obtaining Resources and Skills (DOORS), could improve self-reported functional skills and clinical outcomes among people with serious mental illness.

METHODS

The 8-week program was offered to participants receiving treatment in community mental health centers (N=113) and an inpatient psychiatric unit (N=74). Pre- and postintervention self-report surveys were collected. Descriptive statistics and two-tailed t tests were used for analysis.

RESULTS

For patients treated in a community center, improvements were observed in 27 of the 29 self-reported functional skills that measured digital literacy. Changes in seven of these skills were statistically significant. Although these participants reported larger improvements in clinical outcomes than did inpatient participants, no statistically significant changes in symptoms were seen in either setting.

CONCLUSIONS

Digital skills training is necessary to increase access to care through technology. DOORS can improve self-reported digital literacy, but further research is necessary to determine its immediate impact on symptoms.

Effects of a Metacognitive Smartphone Intervention With Weekly Mentoring Sessions for Individuals With Schizophrenia: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Application (app)-based interventions using smartphones could provide effective alternatives to traditional treatment programs during and beyond the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. The current quasi-experimental study with a non-equivalent comparison group tested the effects of a smartphone app-based metacognitive intervention program with weekly mentoring sessions on the meta-cognitive beliefs, psychotic symptoms, and social functioning of individuals with schizophrenia from community psychosocial rehabilitation centers. The study was conducted with 20 participants with severe psychotic symptoms and low social functioning and 24 participants with relatively light psychotic symptoms and good social functioning as a comparison group. For the experimental group, the app-based intervention was combined with weekly contact mentoring sessions over 10 weeks. The comparison group received only the app-based intervention over 10 weekly sessions. No differences were observed between groups' total scores; however, the experimental group showed a tendency toward improved psychotic symptoms and social functioning over time, unlike the comparison group. These findings provide an empirical basis for managing schizophrenia symptoms with smartphone apps. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 61(2), 27-37.].

Evaluating a Low-Cost Technology to Enable People with Intellectual Disability or Psychiatric Disorders to Initiate and Perform Functional Daily Activities

People with intellectual disability or psychiatric disorders and cognitive dysfunctions may need assistive technology to maintain and improve their levels of functioning and independence. This study assessed a smartphone-based system to remind the user to initiate functional daily activities (e.g., setting a table for lunch) and perform them without the support of a caregiver. The system was evaluated through a non-concurrent multiple baseline design across two groups of participants. During the intervention sessions, the participants were provided with a system involving a Samsung Galaxy A3 smartphone fitted with the Easy Alarm YouTube application and audio files. The alarm served to remind the participant to carry out a planned activity. Following the reminder, the smartphone presented each of the step instructions preset for the activity. The data showed a statistically significant increase in the number of activities initiated independently from baseline to intervention for all participants. All participants also showed a significant increase in the number of activity steps correctly performed when supported by the smartphone. These results suggest that a low-cost system (i.e., smartphone) can be used to improve independence of people with intellectual disability or psychiatric disorders with cognitive dysfunctions.

Description the Importance of Developing a Self-Reliance Instrument for Schizophrenic Patients in the Hospital Setting

Abstract Background: The level of independence among schizophrenia patients is still a problem that must be resolved. The development of appropriate relevant instruments is needed. This study aims to develop a nursing rehabilitation therapy instrument to increase the independence of schizophrenia patients in the hospital setting. Methods: This study used a research and development study design. The study was conducted in a Psychiatric Hospital in Surabaya, Indonesia from August to December 2020. The total sample in this study consisted of 100 nurses determined by a simple random sampling technique. In addition, 50 medical records were observed. The inclusion criteria were nurses who cared for patients with schizophrenia with a minimum work experience of 1 year. Respondents were excluded from the study if they did not follow the study through to completion. The data collection process was done online by filling in a Google form. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics and a FGD followed with 10 nurses to discuss the new instrument. Results: The data found that a rehabilitation therapy instrument is not currently available (53%). The FGD results show that it is necessary to develop the nurse’s knowledge and to provide adequate facilities and rooms, as well as to develop instruments to use as measuring tools in order to evaluate the rehabilitation therapy given. Conclusion: Rehabilitation therapy instruments are important to develop for schizophrenia patients. It is hoped that the development of the instrument in this study will optimise the rehabilitation of schizophrenia patients.

Digital Clinics and Mobile Technology Implementation for Mental Health Care

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Interest in digital mental health, especially smartphone apps, has expanded in light of limited access to mental health services and the need for remote care during COVID-19. Digital clinics, in which apps are blended into routine care, offer a potential solution to common implementation challenges including low user engagement and lack of clinical integration of apps.

RECENT FINDINGS

While the number of mental health apps available in commercial marketplaces continues to rise, there are few examples of successful implementation of these apps into care settings. We review one example of a digital clinic created within an academic medical center and another within the Department of Veterans Affairs. We then discuss how implementation science can inform new efforts to effectively integrate mental health technologies across diverse use cases. Integrating mental health apps into care settings is feasible but requires careful attention to multiple domains that will influence implementation success, including characteristics of the innovation (e.g., utility and complexity of the app), the recipients of the technology (e.g., patients and clinicians), and context (e.g., healthcare system buy-in, reimbursement, and regulatory policies). Examples of effective facilitation strategies that can be utilized to improve implementation efforts include co-production of technology involving all end users, specialized trainings for staff and patients, creation of new team members to aid in app usage (e.g., digital navigators), and re-design of clinical workflows.

Marketplace and Literature Review of Spanish Language Mental Health Apps

Language differences between patients and providers remains a barrier to accessing health care, especially mental health services. One potential solution to reduce inequities for patients that speak different languages and improve their access to care is through the delivery of healthcare through mobile technology. Given that the Latinx community serves as the largest ethnic minority in the United States, this two-phased review examines Spanish app development, feasibility and efficacy. Phase 1 explored the commercial marketplace for apps available in Spanish, while phase 2 involved a literature review of published research centered around the creation, functions, and usability of these apps using the PubMed and Google Scholar electronic databases. Of the apps available on the database, only 14.5% of them had Spanish operability. The literature search uncovered 629 results, of which 12 research articles that tested or described 10 apps met the inclusion criteria. Of the 10 apps studied in this literature review, only four apps were translated to Spanish. Our study reveals that despite increasing interest in Spanish-language apps to address mental health, the commercial marketplace is not currently meeting the demand.