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Article

“BrainHeart”: Pilot Study on a Novel Application for Elderly Well-Being Based on Mindfulness Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

by
Roberta Bruschetta
1,
Desiree Latella
2,*,
Caterina Formica
2,
Simona Campisi
1,3,
Chiara Failla
1,
Flavia Marino
1,
Serena Iacono Isidoro
1,
Fabio Mauro Giambò
2,
Lilla Bonanno
2,
Antonio Cerasa
4,5,
Angelo Quartarone
2,
Silvia Marino
2,
Giovanni Pioggia
1,
Rocco Salvatore Calabrò
2 and
Gennaro Tartarisco
1,*
1
National Research Council of Italy, Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, C/O via Leanza, Istituto Marino, Mortelle, 98164 Messina, Italy
2
IRCCS Centro Neurolesi “Bonino-Pulejo”, via Palermo S.S. 113—C.da Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy
3
C.O.T. Cure Ortopediche Traumatologiche S.P.A, 98124 Messina, Italy
4
Institute of BioImaging and Complex Biological Systems (IBSBC-CNR), via T. Campanella, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
5
S. Anna Institute, 88900 Crotone, Italy
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Bioengineering 2024, 11(8), 787; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11080787
Submission received: 2 July 2024 / Revised: 24 July 2024 / Accepted: 1 August 2024 / Published: 3 August 2024
(This article belongs to the Topic Applied System on Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare and Sustainability 2024)
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Abstract

The rising prevalence of mental illness is straining global mental health systems, particularly affecting older adults who often face deteriorating physical health and decreased autonomy and quality of life. Early detection and targeted rehabilitation are crucial in mitigating these challenges. Mindfulness acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) holds promise for enhancing motivation and well-being among the elderly, although delivering such psychological interventions is hindered by limited access to services, prompting exploration of remote delivery options like mobile applications. In this paper, we introduce the BrainHeart App (v.1.1.8), a mobile application tailored to improve physical and mental well-being in seniors. The app features a 10-day ACT program and other sections promoting healthy lifestyle. In a pilot study involving twenty participants, individuals engaged in daily mental exercises for 10 days using the app. Clinical evaluations, including assessments of psychological flexibility, overall cognitive profile, mindfulness disposition, cognitive fusion, and heart rate collected with Polar H10, were conducted at baseline (T0) and one month post-intervention (T1). Analysis revealed significant improvements in almost all neuropsychological scores, with high usability reported (system usability scale average score: 82.3 ± 9.31). Additionally, a negative correlation was found between usability and experiential avoidance (r = −0.51; p = 0.026), and a notable difference in heart rate was observed between baseline and post-intervention (F-value = 3.06; p-value = 0.09). These findings suggest that mindfulness-ACT exercises delivered via the BrainHeart App can enhance the well-being of elderly individuals, highlighting the potential of remote interventions in addressing mental health needs in this population.
Keywords: mental health; mindfulness acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT); mobile application; well-being in seniors; usability mental health; mindfulness acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT); mobile application; well-being in seniors; usability

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MDPI and ACS Style

Bruschetta, R.; Latella, D.; Formica, C.; Campisi, S.; Failla, C.; Marino, F.; Iacono Isidoro, S.; Giambò, F.M.; Bonanno, L.; Cerasa, A.; et al. “BrainHeart”: Pilot Study on a Novel Application for Elderly Well-Being Based on Mindfulness Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Bioengineering 2024, 11, 787. https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11080787

AMA Style

Bruschetta R, Latella D, Formica C, Campisi S, Failla C, Marino F, Iacono Isidoro S, Giambò FM, Bonanno L, Cerasa A, et al. “BrainHeart”: Pilot Study on a Novel Application for Elderly Well-Being Based on Mindfulness Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Bioengineering. 2024; 11(8):787. https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11080787

Chicago/Turabian Style

Bruschetta, Roberta, Desiree Latella, Caterina Formica, Simona Campisi, Chiara Failla, Flavia Marino, Serena Iacono Isidoro, Fabio Mauro Giambò, Lilla Bonanno, Antonio Cerasa, and et al. 2024. "“BrainHeart”: Pilot Study on a Novel Application for Elderly Well-Being Based on Mindfulness Acceptance and Commitment Therapy" Bioengineering 11, no. 8: 787. https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11080787

APA Style

Bruschetta, R., Latella, D., Formica, C., Campisi, S., Failla, C., Marino, F., Iacono Isidoro, S., Giambò, F. M., Bonanno, L., Cerasa, A., Quartarone, A., Marino, S., Pioggia, G., Calabrò, R. S., & Tartarisco, G. (2024). “BrainHeart”: Pilot Study on a Novel Application for Elderly Well-Being Based on Mindfulness Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Bioengineering, 11(8), 787. https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11080787

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