Smartphone application training program improves smartphone usage competency and quality of life among the elderly in an elder university in China: A randomized controlled trial

Background: Given that China has free universities dedicated solely to the elderly, such universities may be the perfect place to provide large numbers of elderly with a systematic program of self-management. Yet, testing health applications in this location has not occurred, partly because time-consuming training is required before applications can be used. Objective: This study aimed to develop and implement a smartphone training program for the elderly and to confirm the effects on smartphone competency and quality of life. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted. Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the wait-list control group. A smartphone operation manual was provided to all participants. The intervention group received the smartphone training program once a week for 20 weeks. After the study was finished, participants in the wait-list control group were permitted to undergo the smartphone training program. Results: Of the 344 participants were randomized at the elder university in Huzhou. After 20 weeks of the intervention, the intervention group showed significant improvement in smartphone usage competency (except health applications) and quality of life relative to the wait-list control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: This study confirmed the effectiveness of the smartphone training program in the elder university setting. However, further research is needed to strengthen the intervention in the area of health applications.