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Mobile Apps in orthopedic post-surgery
Post-surgical period after discharge from the hospital is generally a critical time in orthopedic patients.
The integration of mobile health apps into patient rehabilitation may positively influence patient outcomes.
Patients generally appreciate the proposal of an interactive app-based approach to their orthopedic post-surgical treatment.
In this phase they are particularly vulnerable to surgical complications, being outside the direct control of their healthcare team.
During this period, the persistence of symptoms that are unchecked can lead to:
- unscheduled emergency visits
- calls to surgeons'offices
- clinical readmissions
The ultimate goal of these technologies are:
TO ENHANCE communication between caregivers and patients
TO PROVIDE patients a better insight into their health status
TO ENGAGE
them in motivated self-management
STUDIES RESULTS
The use of home-based apps is highly accepted by the patients which gave strong ratings on usefulness.4,6
Most physicians expressed satisfaction with the use of the apps suggesting that they would use them in their clinical practice.7
Apps are useful to improve understanding, provide information, support self-management, enable progression and adherence, recall information.8
Post-surgical period after discharge from the hospital is generally a critical time in orthopedic patients.
In this phase they are particularly vulnerable to surgical complications, being outside the direct control of their healthcare team.
During this period, the persistence of symptoms that are unchecked can lead to:
- unscheduled emergency visits
- calls to surgeons'offices
- clinical readmissions
The integration of mobile health apps into patient rehabilitation may positively influence patient outcomes.
The ultimate goal of these technologies are:
TO ENHANCE communication between caregivers and patients
TO PROVIDE patients a better insight into their health status
TO ENGAGE
them in motivated self-management
Patients generally appreciate the proposal of an interactive app-based approach to their orthopedic post-surgical treatment.
STUDIES RESULTS
The use of home-based apps is highly accepted by the patients which gave strong ratings on usefulness.4,6
Most physicians expressed satisfaction with the use of the apps suggesting that they would use them in their clinical practice.7
Apps are useful to improve understanding, provide information, support self-management, enable progression and adherence, recall information.8
Patient’s education and empowerment are key
The myHEXplan™ Mobile App supports patients providing access to their TL-HEX treatment(s) schedule and including educational material and insights
Patient's personal satisfaction is becoming more important
The apps should provide educational content to improve patients’ understanding and address potential questions regarding symptoms and how to manage them.9
Furthermore, a patient who is well educated about his or her upcoming recovery experience could suffer less postoperative anxiety.8,9
With myHEXplan™ patients are supported from the first day after surgery until the device removal, through all the treatment phases. myHEXplan™ provides:
- Strut adjustment reminders
- Pin site reminders
- Mood self-assessment
- Insights to the treatment
Often, patients relate satisfaction to the quality of care they perceive to have received so that maintaining patient comfort and wellness progression are very important.10
Therefore, an app that is able to make the patients feel assured and supported during the whole treatment, might increase overall patients satisfaction on the received treatment.10
With myHEXplan™ educational features patients will be supported in their whole post surgical treatment
FROM THE VERY BEGINNING TO THE END OF THE TREATMENT, BESIDE YOUR PATIENTS
Patient’s education and empowerment are key
The apps should provide educational content to improve patients’ understanding and address potential questions regarding symptoms and how to manage them.9
Furthermore, a patient who is well educated about his or her upcoming recovery experience could suffer less postoperative anxiety.8,9
The myHEXplan™ Mobile App supports patients providing access to their TL-HEX treatment(s) schedule and including educational material and insights
With myHEXplan™ patients are supported from the first day after surgery until the device removal, through all the treatment phases. myHEXplan™ provides:
- Strut adjustment reminders
- Pin site reminders
- Mood self-assessment
- Insights to the treatment
Patient's personal satisfaction is becoming more important
Often, patients relate satisfaction to the quality of care they perceive to have received so that maintaining patient comfort and wellness progression are very important.10
Therefore, an app that is able to make the patients feel assured and supported during the whole treatment, might increase overall patients satisfaction on the received treatment.10
With myHEXplan™ educational features patients will be supported in their whole post surgical treatment
FROM THE VERY BEGINNING TO THE END OF THE TREATMENT, BESIDE YOUR PATIENTS
Post-operative instructions and reminders in the apps might increase adherence and accuracy in following the post-operative care11
- Patient non-comprehension of discharge instructions is a documented problem.
- The hospital is a stressful environment and discharge instructions from clinicians may not be clear to the patient.
- Patients may have difficulty understanding and remembering details of discharge instructions.11
Patients using myHEXplan™ can access the struts adjustment prescription and receive reminders of pin site care.
With myHEXplan™ your patients will receive reminders of pin-site care and struts adjustment (and mark these activities as complete)
Go to myHEXplan™
Increasing patient’s motivation might lead to better outcomes10
Potential cost-effectiveness of using the app
Literature states that apps may benefit patients with improved compliance and adherence and this may translate into improved clinical outcomes.10
Clinical observations indicate that compliance greatly depends on motivation and increasing patient’s motivation might lead to better outcomes.7
Literature shows that patients appreciated apps including motivational messages.
They furthermore stated that motivation is increased by a sense of being capable.12
SEVERAL STUDIES
show that these apps may result in a cost-effective and convenient treatment for the patient.10
In fact, they might have the potential to decrease hospital resource utilization and increase time efficiency.13,14
Post-operative instructions and reminders in the apps might increase adherence and accuracy in following the post-operative care11
- Patient non-comprehension of discharge instructions is a documented problem.
- The hospital is a stressful environment and discharge instructions from clinicians may not be clear to the patient.
- Patients may have difficulty understanding and remembering details of discharge instructions.11
Patients using myHEXplan™ can access the struts adjustment prescription and receive reminders of pin site care.
With myHEXplan™ your patients will receive reminders of pin-site care and struts adjustment (and mark these activities as complete)
Go to myHEXplan™
Increasing patient’s motivation might lead to better outcomes10
Literature states that apps may benefit patients with improved compliance and adherence and this may translate into improved clinical outcomes.10
Clinical observations indicate that compliance greatly depends on motivation and increasing patient’s motivation might lead to better outcomes.7
Literature shows that patients appreciated apps including motivational messages.
They furthermore stated that motivation is increased by a sense of being capable.12
Potential cost-effectiveness of using the app
SEVERAL STUDIES
show that these apps may result in a cost-effective and convenient treatment for the patient.10
In fact, they might have the potential to decrease hospital resource utilization and increase time efficiency.13,14
myHEXplan™
The myHEXplan™ app is designed for patients treated with
the TL-HEX TrueLok Hexapod System™ external fixation device.
This mobile app acts in addition to the standard treatment approach and supports patients from the first day after surgery,
through device removal and all the treatment phases.
All managed from a smartphone.
More Info
Why playing video games can actually be good for your patients’ health
Even though video games have been viewed negatively in the past, the nature of video games has changed dramatically in the last decade. A body of research has been conducted highlighting their benefits:
- Casual video games have the ability to reduce depression and anxiety15
- Playing video games has positive effects on four main domains: cognitive, motivational, emotional, and social 16
- Interactive technologies can boost Patient-Empowerment 17
- Video games can augment patient’s resilience, and help develop a “fighting spirit” in physical and mental health 18
- Video games drive behavior changes in patients 19
It is not just a matter of distracting young patients or having fun, the edugame can be a tool for the hospital staff, useful before the intervention, to illustrate the treatment and the entire path of care to the patient, through educational material and quiz sections.
All
3-6 Years
7-12 Years
10-15 Years
18+ years
All
mySuperheroAcademy™
The first EduGame for the education of paediatric patients being treated with the TL-HEX system. Designed for kids from 10-15 years old, this app is intended as an edutainment tool. Based on the comic strip of “Tommy and Linda – The Power of Unity”, it features:
- Avatar customization to make the adventure truly unique and personal to the child
- A customizable Superhero Academy
- 4 Match 3 games that encourage the child to collect Courage, Energy, Health and Strength points
- 8 Runner games: library, tunnel, bowling, gym, volcano, spaceship, river and beachside
- Increasing levels of difficulty for all the games to keep the child challenged
- Quiz area
Kit for kids
The kit includes a variety of fun games to entertain the young patient and help the surgeon and parents explain their treatment. Young kids may have difficulty understanding the reasons for surgery and the timeline. Each component of this kit was designed to address these problems, as well as foster communication between patients and their parents. The kit should be delivered by the surgeon or care team members and includes tips for parents and caregivers.
Comic strips
Two very “normal” pre-teen kids find the rings and the struts and in putting these items together, they enter a magic world where they have the chance to become superheroes. The Story of Tommy and Linda is intended as the launch “platform” to mySuperheroAcademy™ edugame.
www.Limbhealing.com
It provides education, support and resources to empower patients with a limb deformity and their families.
- Description of the limb deformity
- Treatment options
- Patient testimonials
- Resources
- TL-HEX description
Pre-surgery meeting brochure
Intended to be used during the pre-surgery meeting, as a guide to discuss the proposed surgery.
- Infographic depicting the treatment as a journey
- Answers to the most common questions and concerns
myHEXplan™
A successful treatment with TL-HEX is not simply a matter of correct strut adjustment.The TL-HEX patient is supported from the first day after surgery until the device removal, through all the treatment phases.
- Strut adjustment reminders
- Mood self-assessment
- Insights to the treatment
3-6 Years
Kit for kids
The kit includes a variety of fun games to entertain the young patient and help the surgeon and parents explain their treatment. Young kids may have difficulty understanding the reasons for surgery and the timeline. Each component of this kit was designed to address these problems, as well as foster communication between patients and their parents. The kit should be delivered by the surgeon or care team members and includes tips for parents and caregivers.
7-12 Years
Comic strips
Two very “normal” pre-teen kids find the rings and the struts and in putting these items together, they enter a magic world where they have the chance to become superheroes. The Story of Tommy and Linda is intended as the launch “platform” to mySuperheroAcademy™ edugame.
10-15 Years
mySuperheroAcademy™
The first EduGame for the education of paediatric patients being treated with the TL-HEX system. Designed for kids from 10-15 years old, this app is intended as an edutainment tool. Based on the comic strip of “Tommy and Linda – The Power of Unity”, it features:
- Avatar customization to make the adventure truly unique and personal to the child
- A customizable Superhero Academy
- 4 Match 3 games that encourage the child to collect Courage, Energy, Health and Strength points
- 8 Runner games: library, tunnel, bowling, gym, volcano, spaceship, river and beachside
- Increasing levels of difficulty for all the games to keep the child challenged
- Quiz area
18+ years
www.Limbhealing.com
It provides education, support and resources to empower patients with a limb deformity and their families.
- Description of the limb deformity
- Treatment options
- Patient testimonials
- Resources
- TL-HEX description
Pre-surgery meeting brochure
Intended to be used during the pre-surgery meeting, as a guide to discuss the proposed surgery.
- Infographic depicting the treatment as a journey
- Answers to the most common questions and concerns
myHEXplan™
A successful treatment with TL-HEX is not simply a matter of correct strut adjustment.The TL-HEX patient is supported from the first day after surgery until the device removal, through all the treatment phases.
- Strut adjustment reminders
- Mood self-assessment
- Insights to the treatment
Contact a sales representative
Some Care HEXcellence materials and services may not be available in your country. Please fill in the form below if you need to contact a sales representative to receive free samples or further information about Care HEXcellence materials, myHEXplan™ or mySuperheroAcademy™ mobile applications.
References
- Nguyen HQ, Gill DP, Wolpin S et al. Pilot study of a cell phone-based exercise persistence intervention post-rehabilitation for COPD. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis 2009;4:301-313.
- Antypas K, Wangberg SC. An Internet- and mobile-based tailored intervention to enhance maintenance of physical activity after cardiac rehabilitation: short-term results of a randomized controlled trial. J Med Internet Res 2014;16(3):e77.
- Hong YA, Goldberg D, Ory MG et al. Efficacy of a mobile-enabled Web app (iCanFit) in promoting physical activity among older cancer survivors: a pilot study. JMIR Cancer 2015 Jun 26;1(1):e7.
- Bini SA, Mahajan J. Clinical outcomes of remote asynchronous telerehabilitation are equivalent to traditional therapy following total knee arthroplasty: A randomized control study. J Telemed Telecare. 2017 Feb;23(2):239-247.
- Stütz T, Emsenhuber G, Huber D et al. Mobile Phone–Supported Physiotherapy for Frozen Shoulder: Feasibility Assessment Based on a Usability Study. JMIR Rehabil Assist Technol. 2017 Jul 20;4(2):e6.
- Ponce BA, Brabston EW, Shin Zu et al. Telemedicine with mobile devices and augmented reality for early postoperative care. Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2016 Aug;2016:4411-4414.
- Skrepnik N, Spitzer A, Altman R et al. Assessing the Impact of a Novel Smartphone Application Compared With Standard Follow-Up on Mobility of Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis Following Treatment With Hylan G-F 20: A Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2017 May 9;5(5):e64. doi: 10.2196/mhealth.7179.
- Spasić I, Button K, Divoli A et al. TRAK App Suite:A Web-Based Intervention for Delivering Standard Care for the Rehabilitation of Knee Conditions. JMIR Res Protoc. 2015 Oct 16;4(4):e122.
- Choi W, Zheng H, Franklin P et al. mHealth technologies for osteoarthritis self-management and treatment: A systematic review. Health Informatics J. 2017 Oct 1:1460458217735676.
- Chughtai M, Kelly JJ, Newman JM et al. The Role of Virtual Rehabilitation in Total and Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty. J Knee Surg. 2018 Mar 16.
- Lu K, Marino NE, Russell D et al. Use of Short Message Service and Smartphone Applications in the Management of Surgical Patients: A Systematic Review. Telemed J E Health. 2018 Jun;24(6):406-414.
- Danbjørg DB, Villadsen A, Gill E et al. Usage of an Exercise App in the Care for People With Osteoarthritis: User-Driven Exploratory Study. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2018 Jan 11;6(1):e11.
- Semple JL, Sharpe S, Murnaghan ML et al. Using a Mobile App for Monitoring Post-Operative Quality of Recovery of Patients at Home:A Feasibility Study. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2015 Feb 12;3(1):e18.
- Bitsaki M, Koutras G, Heep H et al. Cost-Effective Mobile-Based Healthcare System for Managing Total Joint Arthroplasty Follow-Up. Healthc Inform Res. 2017 Jan;23(1):67-73.
- Russoniello CV, Fish M, O’Brien K. The Efficacy of Casual Videogame Play in Reducing Clinical Depression: A Randomized Controlled Study. Games Health J. 2013 Dec;2(6):341-6.
- Granic I, Lobel A, Engels RCME. The benefits of playing video games. American Psychologist. 2013 69(1), 66-78.
- Bruggers CS, Altizer RA, Kessler RR, et al. Patient-Empowerment Interactive Technologies. Sci Transl Med. 2012 Sep 19;4(152):152ps16.
- Govender M, Bowen RC, German ML et al. Clinical and Neurobiological Perspectives of Empowering Pediatric Cancer Patients Using Videogames. Games Health J. 2015 Oct;4(5):362-74.
- Stanesic C. Using Gaming to Engage and Drive Behavior Changes in Patients, March 12, 2015 on engagingpatients.org.
