Investigating Challenges in Implementing a Digital Play Intervention in a Complex Organization Across Pediatric Departments: Non-Randomized Controlled Feasibility Trial.
Laerke Winther, Michelle Stahlhut, Derek John Curtis and 3 others
PMID 40627595WHAT IT FOUND
Hospitalized children were often too exhausted to use a digital play app, and staff lacked time to support it.
The app was not feasible as designed; children's motivation was neither positive nor negative.
Key findings
01The feasibility check identified serious concerns about demand and practicality.
02Most children did not use the app much, and many were too exhausted to engage.
03The limited activity check found differences only in sensor wear time and sit-to-stands, not in other activity measures.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
Only 22 children participated, and they were not randomly assigned; the first 10 were control and the next 10 were intervention. The study excluded 111 of 143 children hospitalized in the departments, so many patients were not represented. App use data were lost because the REDCap account was suspended, so actual play could not be measured. Accelerometer data were incomplete: data were unavailable for 3 participants and limited for 7, and 7 of 22 removed sensors early due discomfort. Sensor wear time differed between groups, which can distort comparisons of activity. The app did not support upper-limb games on Android and was incompatible with some phones. Staff shortages and competing projects limited support for the intervention. Questionnaire reliability was not considered meaningful because sample sizes were small.
Declared interests
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The easy way to misread this
Do not treat the app group's sit-to-stand result as proof the game increased activity. Participants were not randomly assigned, many children barely used the app, and sensor wear time was not the same in the groups.