Dr. Shannon B. Juengst’s study using Ecological Momentary Assessment was designed to determine the feasibility of delivering an evidence based self management intervention, problem-solving training (PST), to care partners of individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injury (SPI), burn injury, or stroke during the inpatient hospital stay. PST is a metacognitive self-management intervention that teaches individuals a global strategy for addressing self-selected problems. Participants received up to six sessions of PST in person or via telephone during their care recipient’s inpatient stay.
Dr.Juengst’s team used the mEMA System to measure the feasibility of recruitment, intervention delivery, and post-intervention use of Smartphone based assessments measuring problem solving, participant satisfaction, and engagement with the intervention.
Participants were very satisfied with PST, reported a strong working alliance, and demonstrated very good engagement. It was concluded that delivering a self-management intervention to care partners via Smartphone app during the care recipient’s acute hospital stay is feasible for a subset of potential participants. Short lengths of stay, language fluency, and perceiving no potential benefit were noted barriers. Boosters via smartphone app have potential for self-management intervention.
Shannon B. Juengst, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
