BACKGROUND
Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a worldwide fast-growing progressive neurodegenerative condition. Its multifaceted clinical presentation includes a wide range of motor and non-motor symptoms. Smartphones present a potential solution to better monitor and subsequently alleviate PD symptoms.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the impact of neurologist-patient collaborative feedback on the design and functionality of a new smartphone application in PD, DigiPark.
METHODS
This qualitative, non-interventional study gathered data through two primary methods First, by conducting interviews with nine neurologists, and second, through a usability test (UT) including five patients with PD (PWPD) as part of the development process for a new smartphone application (app).
RESULTS
The neurologists affirmed the necessity for a patient-centered app, highlighting the complexities of PD management. They advocated for personalized app functionalities to improve patients' quality of life and emphasized the need for enhanced patient-provider communication. Feedback from the UT indicated a preference for a clear, simple user interface, and elucidation of the app's benefits. Concerns about the app's time demands and the complexity of certain features like medication management were expressed. Furthermore, PWPD consistently showed interest in features that could track and monitor their progress over time. This highlights the need to include clear benefits within the app to maintain user engagement and commitment.
CONCLUSIONS
Collaborative efforts in shaping the app cater to genuine PD management needs. Future clinical trial inclusion can further validate the efficacy of DigiPark.
CLINICALTRIAL
n/a