KOKU Bladder aims to develop and test an evidence based digital health program with behavior change techniques to improve bladder health of adults aged 50 and over.
A novel module embedded in the approved app “Keep-on-Keep-up” (KOKU) will be co-created with end-users, researchers, health professionals, and stakeholders through a participatory and appreciative action and reflection methodology. After a comprehensive literature review and consultation with 4-6 experts, 6 workshops will be undertaken in Kaunas, Catalonia (Spain) and Manchester (UK) to co-create the contents of the module. Data will be analyzed using thematic analysis. Gamification and the Honeycomb model for user experience will be followed to achieve an appropriate technological solution that will be tested through a randomized controlled trial with at least 120 individuals. A mixed methods approach (quantitative/qualitative analysis) will be used to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the program. Open data and science, gender and ethical aspects, as well as a risk management plan are considered. A plan for communication, dissemination, exploitation of results will be considered. KOKU Bladder will be highly scalable and will have wide reach and impact. This proposal is in line with EU policy initiatives on Active and Healthy Ageing (bladder health and continence will be promoted), targeting aspects such as eHealth, Innovation and Digital Care Transformation, by supporting users to demand more responsive and integrated care programs for chronic conditions and enhancing self-management strategies, independence and health intelligence.
The KOKU Bladder team consists of Javier Jerez-Roig (PI), Óscar Águila, Emma Stanmore (University of Manchester), Marius Brazaitis, Rima Solianik, Erika Karkauskiene and Laura Jarutienė (Lithuanian Sports University).
The project received funding from the Research Council of Lithuania and AGAUR (Agència de Gestió d’Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca) through an Industry PhD.