Usability study of a smartphone app entitled: Living with Parkinson’s disease

BACKGROUND: Mobile healthcare apps have transformed the healthcare industry and these apps can now be used for educational and preventive purposes, as well as providing valuable information for self-care. Apps related to Parkinson's disease can help from diagnoses to treatment, however the purpose of the app in this study is to inform and to educate. OBJECTIVE: To describe user appraisal of the refinement of a Parkinson's Disease app through a technical evaluation by researchers in the technological area of Human-computer Interaction HCI and usability from the perspective of the end user. METHODS: Technological development research of heuristic evaluation and user experience study carried out for usability testing, where the profile of users were surveyed and usability was evaluated by HCI researchers and end users. RESULTS: Parkinsonians with a recent diagnosis showed the greatest interest in the app. The final version of the app was ready after modifications proposed by experts and users. The app achieved an excellent usability rating, when rated on the Brooke scale in regard to user evaluation. CONCLUSION: Structured strategies to promote greater adherence contribute to increased usability, and may allow for greater autonomy in care and early identification of symptoms.