Using a Smartphone-Based Ecological Momentary Assessment Protocol With Community Dwelling Older African Americans

ObjectivesLittle is known about the feasibility of smartphone-based Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) approaches to collect psychosocial data from older populations, especially disadvantaged older populations. In response to this gap, this report provides evidence of the feasibility and utility of a smartphone-based EMA approach for real-time assessment with older African Americans. In addition, we share lessons learned about how to improve utility.MethodsNinety-seven older African Americans ages 55 and older (range: 55–95 years) used an Android smartphone loaded with an EMA application to provide data about their everyday activities and stress four times per day for seven consecutive days.ResultsExit interviews early in the study suggested enhancements to the EMA interface. Adherence was demonstrated with response completion rates of 92–98% on EMA measures and no participant attrition based on the EMA protocol.DiscussionOur findings suggest using a smartphone-based EMA approach for data collection is feasible and has utility with older African Americans. We most likely enhanced adherence by testing, training, monitoring, and adapting the EMA protocol using input from older adults early in the EMA design process.