- Podcast
- 19/09/2025
- UK
From Theory To Practice: Insights Into Intervention Development Of The NON-STOP App For Children With Perthes’ Disease
Description
In this episode of AI Talks with Bone & Joint, hosted by Simon and Amy, the focus is on the development of the NON-STOP app designed for children with Perthes’ disease. The discussion centers around a research paper titled "From theory to practice: insights into intervention development of the NON-STOP app for children with Perthes’ disease," authored by AM Galloway and colleagues and published in July 2025.
The hosts delve into the motivations behind this research, highlighting a concerning trend where many digital health interventions lack a strong theoretical foundation, ultimately impacting their effectiveness and user engagement. The authors of the paper aimed to develop the NON-STOP app by providing a structured methodological approach using the Medical Research Council framework and integrating psychological theories, particularly the social determination theory. They emphasized stakeholder engagement, interacting with children affected by Perthes’ disease, their families, and clinicians to create a user-centric application.
The NON-STOP app features four main sections: an educational learning area, a cartoon-based activity section featuring strengthening and stretching exercises, a progress tracker including an activity diary, and an engaging avatar named Bobby the bone designed to enhance user motivation. The app's initial feasibility testing returned positive user feedback, although further analysis is ongoing, and it is part of a clinical trial comparing surgical and non-surgical interventions for the condition.
The episode concludes with insights into the challenges faced during development, such as resource allocation and the necessity for ongoing user feedback to refine the app. Ultimately, the hosts reaffirm how the NON-STOP app exemplifies effective intervention development by marrying rigorous methodologies with psychological theories and stakeholder involvement, thus paving the way for future digital health solutions.