Mobile application as an adjunct in adherence to physical therapy treatment of patients with cystic fibrosis

Abstract

Introduction: Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is the main potentially lethal hereditary disease among Caucasians, presenting systemic complications and the need for a therapeutic regimen that demands time and dedication. Objective: Develop an Application (App) for smartphones that allows guiding and encouraging patients with CF to perform, in a playful and correct way their physiotherapeutic exercises contributing to adherence to home treatment. Methods: Methodological study of technological innovation where the development of the FisioResp App was sought by researchers and an IT professional. Results: 13 users among the list of patients with Cystic Fibrosis registered at the Cystic Fibrosis Outpatient Clinic of the João de Barros Barreto University Hospital consider using the application positive. The Application was designed by the authors based on the Brazilian Recommendation Guide for Physiotherapy in Cystic Fibrosis and was developed by a professional in the area of​Information Technology, in a private company, being prepared in the Java Script language using the React Native framework for Smartphones with Android operating system and was registered with INPI under number BR512024000738-5. Conclusion: We seek to provide patients and physiotherapists with yet another therapeutic support tool to make their home treatment routine more practical and efficient, by synthesizing and enabling the home prescription of the most commonly used exercises in the outpatient practice of a CF Reference Center. An initial limitation found in the App is the fact that it has been developed, for now, only for the Android platform.