TESTING THE USABILITY AND ACCEPTABILITY OF THE NON-STOP APP, A DIGITAL SELF-MANAGEMENT INTERVENTION FOR CHILDREN WITH PERTHES’ DISEASE

Perthes’ Disease is a rare paediatric hip condition that affects the blood supply to the femoral head, leading to bone death and regeneration. This process causes pain, mobility issues, and prolonged recovery periods, impacting a child's quality of life. Effective self-management interventions, particularly digital tools, have been identified by key stakeholders as acceptable methods of helping children and families cope with the disease. This study assessed the usability and acceptability of the NON-STOP app, a digital self-management intervention for children with Perthes’ Disease. A mixed-methods approach was employed, involving a single-arm trial and nested focus groups. Thirty-one children with Perthes’ Disease were recruited from three NHS hospitals to use the NON-STOP app over six weeks. App usage data were collected, and participants completed baseline and post-trial assessments, including PROMIS Mobility, CPAQ, and Health ITUES, to evaluate the app's usability. Following the trial, a subset of participants took part in focus groups to explore their experiences and gather qualitative feedback on the app's strengths and areas for improvement. Quantitative findings showed that app engagement was moderate. 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. Users appreciated the instructional videos to help with exercise completion. 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 The 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 the management of Perthes’ Disease. By promoting self-management and engagement through innovative, child-friendly features, the NON-STOP app addresses a critical need for accessible, scalable tools in paediatric care.