Title: mHealth in Mental Health: how to efficiently and scientifically create an ambulatory biofeedback e-coaching app for patients with borderline personality disorder

Authors: Youri P.M.J. Derks; Tessa De Visser; Ernst T. Bohlmeijer; Matthijs L. Noordzij

Addresses: Scelta (GGNet), Mental Health Institute, P.O. Box 928, 7301BD, Apeldoorn, The Netherlands ' Department of Cognitive Psychology and Ergonomics, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500AE, Enschede, The Netherlands ' Department of Psychology, Health, and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500AE, Enschede, The Netherlands ' Department of Psychology, Health, and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500AE, Enschede, The Netherlands

Abstract: mHealth applications aim to 'coach' users in achieving a better life. However, many of these e-coaches are not based on sound background knowledge of those in need of support. One such group is patients with a borderline personality disorder (BPD). Patients with BPD experience great difficulties in regulating their emotions, in part due to an inability to recognise (changes in) emotions. Using a modified UXD-framework, we investigated the need amongst BPD-patients and therapists for an ambulatory biofeedback e-coaching app that supports patients in learning to better recognise changes in their arousal level. This study adds: 1) a 'design science' approach to developing mHealth applications; 2) the insight that needs of both groups did converge to a degree, but mental models differed fundamentally; 3) a set of requirements for a physiologically based real-time biofeedback tool for psychiatric patients; 4) personas that can form the basis for other research within this group.

Keywords: mHealth; BPD; borderline personality disorder; emotional awareness; participatory design; e-coaching; design science.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHFE.2017.088418

International Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics, 2017 Vol.5 No.1, pp.61 - 92

Received: 31 May 2017
Accepted: 26 Aug 2017
Published online: 06 Dec 2017 *

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