Assessing the usefulness of an mHealth strategy to support implementation of multi-faceted adaptive feeding interventions by community-based rehabilitation workers

ABSTRACT

To assess the usefulness of an mHealth strategy to support assimilation of adaptive feeding interventions into daily practices of community-based rehabilitation (CBR) workers. The mHealth strategy was evaluated in a 4-week field test. At baseline, all participants received a 1-hour, hands-on training on adaptive feeding techniques. The intervention group (n = 12) subsequently received smartphones pre-loaded with training and demonstration videos; control group members (n = 12) did not. All were instructed to recommend adaptive feeding interventions to families on their caseload when appropriate. Both groups received weekly calls to monitor progress and discussed their experiences in post-study focus groups. The intervention group saw over twice the number of families with a child with cerebral palsy compared to the control group. For intervention group members, on-demand access to the videos increased their overall usefulness in everyday practice, enhanced their self-confidence, clarified their recommendations, and increased credibility with caregivers. In contrast, control group members implemented the adaptive feeding strategies less frequently and less confidently. mHealth strategies are a promising option for supporting geographically dispersed CBR workers implementing multi-faceted assistive technology interventions. The portability of video content reinforced learning, increased implementation of the adaptive feeding interventions, and enhanced communication with consumer.

KEYWORDS:

• assistive technology training
• community health workers
• developing countries
• mHealth
• mobile health
• rehabilitation
• telerehabilitation
• transcultural projects

Acknowledgments

Dr. Reena Sen & team members at the Indian Institute of Cerebral Palsy; partner NGOs – Rama Krishna Mission, and Sevaks; HealthyWorld Foundation; and Dr. Arthur Goshin.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Office of Global Health Initiatives at University at Buffalo, Center for International Rehabilitation Research Information and Exchange (CIRRIE), and Mark Diamond Research Fund of the Graduate Student Association at the University at Buffalo, the State University of New York.