EVALUATING THE ACCEPTABILITY AND USABILITY OF THE NON-STOP APP FOR CHILDREN WITH PERTHES' DISEASE AND THEIR FAMILIES

IntroductionPerthes' Disease affects the blood supply to the femoral head, leading to pain, mobility issues, and prolonged recovery, impacting a child's quality of life. Effective self-management interventions have been identified by key stakeholders as acceptable methods of helping children and families manage the disease. We assessed the usability and acceptability of the NON-STOP app, a digital self-management intervention designed for children with Perthes' Disease and their families.MethodA mixed-methods approach was employed. Thirty-one children with Perthes' Disease were recruited to test the app. App usage data were collected, and participants completed baseline and post-trial assessments. Following the trial, a subset of participants took part in focus groups to explore their experiences and gather qualitative feedback on the app.ResultsQuantitative findings showed moderate app engagement. Usage metrics were useful when considering optimum intervention dosage. The average pain score, measured using the Wong-Baker FACES scale, remained low, suggesting the app's exercises were well-tolerated. Qualitative feedback from the focus groups indicated that the app was generally well-received. A key strength to the intervention was the inclusion of rewards, and avatar customisation features, which motivated children to engage with the NON-STOP app.ConclusionsThe NON-STOP app was found to be an acceptable and usable tool for children with Perthes' Disease. The app's ability to promote self-management and independence in children was highlighted as a key benefit. These findings support the continued development and refinement of the NON-STOP app, with potential for broader implementation in future clinical trials targeting Perthes' Disease management.