The effect of educating caregivers of the elderly with cognitive disorders using mobile application on the care burden

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the effect of educating caregivers of the elderly patients with cognitive disorders using a mobile application on the care burden. Materials and Methods: In this study 60 caregivers of elderly patients with cognitive disorders in Ibn-e-Sina Psychiatric Hospital of Mashhad-Iran, were selected through the convenient sampling method. Then they were divided randomly into experimental and control groups. The experimental group received both routine training and training through the mobile application, but the control group received only routine training. The research tool was the Zarit questionnaire. Data analyzed using SPSS software version 16. Results: The results showed that the score of the caregivers' burden after the intervention was significantly different from before the intervention (P< 0.001). Also, comparing the mean score of caring stress after the intervention was significantly different according to the group and education, according to the group and gender, as well as according to the group and the caregivers' family relationship (P= 0.037, P= 0.16, and P= 0.046, respectively). However, there was no significant difference between the mean score of care load pressure after the intervention of group and patients' movement problems (P= 0.174). Conclusion: It seems that education through mobile application can play an effective role in reducing the care burden. Also, the care burden varies according to the level of education, gender, and family relationship. Therefore, the use of educational methods through mobile applications is recommended as a low-cost method in health care settings for patients and their families.