%0 Journal Article
%@ 2368-7959
%I JMIR Publications
%V 8
%N 9
%P e27803
%T Mobile App for Parental Empowerment for Caregivers of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: Prospective Open Trial
%A Bonnot,Olivier
%A Adrien,Vladimir
%A Venelle,Veronique
%A Bonneau,Dominique
%A Gollier-Briant,Fanny
%A Mouchabac,Stephane
%+ Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nantes, 30 Boulevard Jean Monnet, Nantes, 440000, France, 33 637702571, olivier.bonnot@gmail.com
%K autism spectrum disorders
%K empowerment, smartphone application
%K autism
%K smartphone
%K app
%K children
%K caregivers
%D 2021
%7 15.9.2021
%9 Original Paper
%J JMIR Ment Health
%G English
%X Background: Conflicting data emerge from literature regarding the actual use of smartphone apps in medicine; some considered the introduction of smartphone apps in medicine to be a breakthrough, while others suggested that, in real-life, the use of smartphone apps in medicine is disappointingly low. Yet, digital tools become more present in medicine daily. To empower parents of a child with autism spectrum disorder, we developed the Smartautism smartphone app, which asks questions and provides feedback, using a screen with simple curves. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate usage of the app by caregivers of individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Methods: We conducted a prospective longitudinal exploratory open study with families that have a child with autism spectrum disorder. Data were recorded over a period of 6 months, and the outcome criteria were (1) overall response rates for a feedback screen and qualitative questionnaires, and (2) response rates by degree of completion and by user interest, based on attrition. Results: Participants (n=65) had a very high intent to use the app during the 6-month period (3698/3900 instances, 94.8%); however, secondary analysis showed that only 46% of participants (30/65) had constant response rates over 50%. Interestingly, these users were characterized by higher use and satisfaction with the feedback screen when compared to low (P<.001) and moderate (P=.007) users. Conclusions: We found that real or perceived utility is an important incentive for parents who use empowerment smartphone apps. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): RR2-10.1136/bmjopen-2016-012135 
%M 34524101
%R 10.2196/27803
%U https://mental.jmir.org/2021/9/e27803
%U https://doi.org/10.2196/27803
%U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34524101