Overview
Caregivers of persons with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) face increased risk of psychological distress, health problems, reduced quality of life, relationship strain, and restrictions in social and work participation. Military caregivers (Family Caregivers of wounded or disabled Veterans) reported similar negative effects of becoming a caregiver on their physical and mental health.
Using results from our previous work in mHealth interventions for individuals with SCI, we developed a dual-target intervention for both individuals with SCI and their caregivers.
The overall objective of this research study is to conduct translational research focused on adapting and tailoring the interactive Mobile Health and Rehabilitation (iMHere) 2.0 system to meet the needs of Veterans with SCI and their family caregivers, expanding the psychosocial intervention, and evaluating the feasibility of implementing the iMHere system among Veterans with SCI and their family caregivers.
Description
The overall objective of this project is to conduct translational research focused on adapting and tailoring the iMHere 2.0 system to meet the needs of Veterans with SCI and their FCGs, expanding the psychosocial intervention, and evaluating the feasibility of implementing the iMHere system among Veterans with SCI and their Family Caregivers (FCGs). The specific aims of this project are:
Aim 1: To adapt and tailor the iMHere 2.0 system through a codesign process specifically tailored to meet the needs of Veterans with SCI and their FCGs.
The iMHere 2.0 system was designed for the general population of individuals with SCI, spina bifida, and cerebral palsy age 12 through adulthood. "Codesign" refers to a participatory approach to designing solutions in which participants are treated as equal collaborators in the design process. Codesign means designing with, not for, the participants (Veterans with SCI and their FCGs).
Aim 2: To refine and co-develop the psychosocial dual-target intervention model within iMHere 2.0 to cater specifically to Veterans with SCI and their FCGs.
We have conducted preliminary work on psychosocial interventions both for caregivers and care recipients. In this aim, we plan to expand the existing interventions by combining the materials that have been developed in the previous projects with co-design process of Aim 1 to achieve a user-centered, dual-target intervention that meets the needs of Veterans with SCI and their FCGs.
Aim 3: To conduct a study to evaluate usability and feasibility of implementing the iMHere 2.0 system among Veterans with SCI and their caregivers.
We plan to implement the adapted and expanded iMHere 2.0 system (the result of Aims 1 and 2) among Veterans with SCI and their FCGs in a consumer model of delivery. This includes a variety of care models where iMHere can be implemented: medical, community based, and consumer. In a consumer model, Veterans with SCI and their FCGs will use the iMHere system as a consumer tool outside the medical system.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Veterans with SCI or Family caregivers of Veterans with SCI
- Have access to the Internet and a computer to participate in a Zoom call
- Able to speak and understand English to provide informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Serious mental illness requiring psychiatric hospitalization