Usage Evaluation of a Mobile App to Help Understand the Rehabilitation Process of Shoulder Surgery^[*]

Abstract

Objective The present paper aims to evaluate the quality of a mobile phone application (app) designed to guide patients after shoulder surgical procedures.

Methods A free and easily accessible app was developed to help patients at home. Patients were monitored for app use and adaptation before physical therapy started. At the end of 6 weeks, a qualitative questionnaire was employed to determine the usability of the app.

Results In total, 97% of the respondents reported that the app was easy to download, the exercises were readily understood, and they would recommend the app. Ninety-three percent of the participants agreed that the app made them feel a greater degree of participation in the treatment of their illness, while 90% considered the app self-explanatory.

Conclusion The virtual platform helps the patients to understand the treatment, aiding the medical prescription of postoperative exercises to be performed at home.

Keywords

rehabilitation - shoulder/surgery - physical therapy specialty - orthopedics - cell phone

^* The present study was developed at the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology of Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.

Publication History

Received: 10 June 2019

Accepted: 20 December 2019

Article published online:
08 June 2020

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