Patient needs, functional requirements, aesthetic preferences and barriers in app-based therapy for knee osteoarthritis

Abstract Introduction. Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is an infl ammatory condition aff ecting over 25% of adults. Web/mobile technology off ers potential benefi ts in the treatment of KOA by improving access to care and reducing costs by utilising mobile devices for medical care and patient education. Aim. The study aims to answer the question of what needs, functional requirements and aesthetic preferences patients with knee osteoarthritis have and what barriers and facilitators there are when using an app-based therapy. Material and methods. We used a qualitative research design with in-depth interviews with 20 patients. Results and conclusion. Interviewees emphasized that effective KOA management apps must address diverse patient needs, ensure accessibility, offer customizable features, provide comprehensive information and self-management tools, support pain relief, enable remote monitoring, integrate with support communities, and be cost-efficient. These apps should combine functional requirements, such as a simple user interface, integration with wearable devices, educational content, exercise guidance, pain management tools, remote consultations, community support, and feedback mechanisms, with aesthetic preferences for clear, accessible design, large fonts, high-contrast colours, suitable interactive elements, consistent layout, guiding animations, and accessibility features like text resizing, voice commands, and audio descriptions. In conclusion, this study underscores the necessity for KOA management apps to integrate diverse functional requirements and aesthetic preferences, ensuring accessibility, customization, comprehensive information, and support features to enhance usability, effectiveness, and patient satisfaction.