Research

Scientific contributions to digital health

This section showcases Dr. Guido Giunti’s scientific contributions to digital health, focusing on topics such as gamification, AI in healthcare, and patient-centered design.

A Deep Dive into Breast Cancer Mobile Applications: Features, Gaps, and Opportunities

Mobile apps for breast cancer have grown in number, offering resources for patients and healthcare providers. This analysis of 599 apps from leading app stores revealed a focus on disease and treatment information, disease management, and awareness-raising. Most apps were patient-oriented, with limited healthcare professional involvement and a lack of source material or disclaimers. Almost 80% of the apps didn't...

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Digital Health Research with Patient and Public Involvement: Lessons

Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) plays a vital role in making digital health solutions more effective and user-friendly. The "More Stamina" project, which focused on designing an mHealth app for fatigue management in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), highlights how PPI can guide research. The project reveals insights into the roles patients can take, challenges in implementation, and strategies to...

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More Stamina: Gamified mHealth for Managing Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis

This study outlines the design, prototyping, and usability evaluation of "More Stamina," a gamified mHealth app aimed at helping individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) manage fatigue. Developed through a user-centered design approach, the app incorporates behavioral change models and gamification techniques to encourage self-management. Usability testing revealed insights for refining app features, emphasizing simplicity, customization, and a positive user experience....

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Protocol for Exploring Feasibility of More Stamina: An mHealth App for Fatigue Management in MS

This is a study protocol designed for the evaluation of "More Stamina," a mHealth app designed to help individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) manage fatigue. The approach intends to use a mixed-methods, multicenter study to assess the app's feasibility, acceptability, and usability among MS patients in Argentina, Spain, and Switzerland. The study incorporates both qualitative and quantitative methods to explore...

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Workshops on Designing Gamified Solutions for Health

A series of workshop focusing on creating gamified designs to improve engagement among young patients with chronic conditions, particularly Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Participants explored various gamification frameworks and methodologies, brainstorming solutions to enhance adherence to physical activity. The sessions combined theoretical insights and hands-on exercises, producing actionable designs with potential applications for broader health challenges. (more…)

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Navigating Challenges in Patient and Public Involvement for Digital Health Development

This study examines the challenges of integrating Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) into the development of a digital health solution for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) using agile methods. By analyzing the case of the "More Stamina" project, the research identifies key obstacles, including participant selection, onboarding, task framing, communication, and reimbursement, and offers recommendations for enhancing PPI practices in digital health...

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Healthcare Professionals’ Insights on Patient-Generated Health Data for Chronic Care

This study explores how healthcare professionals (HCPs) view the integration of patient-generated health data from self-management mHealth solutions into clinical care. Interviews with 23 HCPs from Finland, Spain, and Switzerland reveal optimism about the potential of PGHD for monitoring, prevention, research, and enhancing transparency in care. However, concerns about data utility and integration remain barriers to full adoption.

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Designing mHealth Apps for Physical Activity: Insights from People with Multiple Sclerosis

This study investigates the needs, obstacles, and motivators for individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and their healthcare providers in using mHealth apps for physical activity. Using a mixed-methods approach that combined focus groups, interviews, and surveys, we explored barriers and facilitators for physical activity and desired app features. The findings highlighted the importance of fatigue management, user-centered design, and gamification...

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Leveraging Generative AI to Speed Up Systematic Reviews of mHealth Apps

This study explores the potential of generative AI, specifically ChatGPT, to automate time-intensive tasks involved in systematic reviews of mHealth apps. Using Design Science Research, we co-created a Python script with ChatGPT to streamline the process. While the output was a functional intermediate result, it required further refinement for full automation. The findings highlight the feasibility and limitations of using...

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COVID-19 Changing Online Conversations About Multiple Sclerosis on Twitter

This study examines how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced Twitter discussions about Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Using sentiment and topic analysis, we analyzed tweets before and after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. The results reveal shifts in conversation focus and emotional tone, providing insights into how global health crises impact online discourse for vulnerable populations. (more…)

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