TRAK application suite: A web-based intervention for delivering standard care for the rehabilitation of knee conditions

Spasic, Irena ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8132-3885, Button, Kate ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1073-9901, Divoli, Anna, Gupta, Satyam Kumar, Pataky, Tamas, Pizzocaro, Diego ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1976-8805, Preece, Alun David ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0349-9057, Van Deursen, Robert William Martin ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9461-0111 and Wilson, Chris 2015. TRAK application suite: A web-based intervention for delivering standard care for the rehabilitation of knee conditions. JMIR Research Protocols 4 (4) , e122. 10.2196/resprot.4091

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Abstract

Background: Standard care for the rehabilitation of knee conditions involves exercise program and information provision. Current methods of rehabilitation delivery struggle to keep up with large volumes of patients and the length of treatment required to maximize the recovery. Therefore, the development of novel interventions to support self-management is strongly recommended. Such interventions need to include information provision, goal setting, monitoring, feedback and support groups, but the most effective methods of their delivery are poorly understood. Internet provides a medium for intervention delivery with considerable potential for meeting these needs. Objective: The primary aim of this study was to demonstrate feasibility of a web-based application and to conduct a preliminary review of its practicability as part of a complex medical intervention in the rehabilitation of knee disorders. This paper describes the development, implementation and usability of such an application. Methods: The TRAK application suite was developed by an interdisciplinary team of healthcare professionals and researchers, computer scientists and application developers. The key functionality of the application includes information provision, a three-step exercise program based on a standard care for the rehabilitation of knee conditions, self-monitoring with visual feedback and virtual support group. Two types of stakeholders (patients and physiotherapists) were recruited for the usability study. The usability questionnaire was used to collect both qualitative and quantitative information on computer and Internet usage, task completion, and subjective user preferences. Results: A total of 16 patients and 15 physiotherapists participated in the usability study. Based on the System Usability Scale, the TRAK application has higher perceived usability than 70% of systems. Both patients and physiotherapists agreed that the given web-based approach would facilitate communication, provide information, help recall information, improve understanding, enable exercise progression and support self-management in general. The web application was found to be easy to use and user satisfaction was very high. The TRAK application suite can be accessed at http://apps.facebook.com/kneetrak/. Conclusion: The usability study suggests that a web-based intervention is feasible and acceptable in supporting self-management of knee conditions.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Computer Science & Informatics Healthcare Sciences
Subjects:	Q Science > QA Mathematics > QA75 Electronic computers. Computer science Q Science > QA Mathematics > QA76 Computer software
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Internet; social media; web applications; mobile applications; usability testing; knee; rehabilitation; exercise; self-management
Publisher:	JMIR Publications
ISSN:	1929-0748
Funders:	ARUK
Related URLs:	Project
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 March 2016
Last Modified:	15 Dec 2023 07:27
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/73631

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