Acceptability of a physical activity program using a digital tool in the management of endometriosis

Purpose Endometriosis is a common condition affecting around 10% of women of childbearing age worldwide. Currently, adapted physical activities (APA) are increasingly used in the context of chronic diseases, often in conjunction with digital devices to help overcome some of the barriers to regular practice. However, it is essential to examine the technological acceptability to optimise the future use of these devices. The main aim of this study is to analyse the intention of women with endometriosis to use digital tools offering physical activities and to identify the factors most likely to predict this intention.

Participants completed an online survey, which included socio-demographic and medical questions, as well as subscales derived from the HITAM model on intention to use digital tools. The data were analysed using univariate and multivariate logistic regressions.

and Conclusion A total of 313 women (Mean age = 34.4; SD = 8.69) met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The statistical analyses showed that the intention to use a digital APA program was fairly high, with a preference for technologies that offer a high degree of freedom in practice. Analyses of the theoretical model showed in particular the importance of a favourable social discourse. The final model (perceived threat, norms, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and age) explained 57.74% of the variance in intention. Findings should be interpreted with caution due to the self-selected online sample and the high dropout rate (899 incomplete responses). IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION Analysis of the acceptability of the proposed device highlights the predominant role of social acceptability (norms) and practical acceptability, in particular, perceived usefulness. As a result, it seems important to involve stakeholders other than patients (specialists, family and friends, associations and expert patients) in the design and dissemination of the devices, in order to reinforce a social discourse favourable to this type of device and encourage the implementation of health-promoting behaviour on a long-term basis. Similarly, it seems important that the medical field (general practitioners or endometriosis specialists) should make a greater contribution to removing psychological barriers to exercise, particularly at the time of diagnosis. This study showed that the practice of physical activity was anchored in our sample, as was digital health. Offering a PA program accessible through digital resources, therefore, appears to be a relevant solution for encouraging long-term practice. In this respect, intention-to-use analysis has highlighted the more specific role of certain psychological dimensions such as norms, perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. Despite the emergence of numerous digital interventions dedicated to the management of chronic pathologies, the question of acceptability is rarely addressed, even though it should be systematically studied in order to maximise the benefits induced by this type of program or device.

The authors wish to thank the women who took time to fill out the survey, those who shared and LYV for sharing. Author contributions Conceptualisation: TP, GC, FT; Data curation: TP; Formal analysis: TP, Funding acquisition: GC & FT; Investigation: TP, GC, FT; Methodology: TP, GC, FT; Project administration: TP, GC, FT; Supervision: GC & FT; Validation: TP, GC, FT; Visualisation: TP, GC, FT; Writing – original draft: TP; Writing – review & editing: TP, GC, FT Disclosure statement No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s). Data availability statement The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. Notes 1 American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists. 2 European society of Gastrointestinal endoscopy. 3 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embriology. 4 World Endometriosis Society. Additional information Funding Notes on contributors Tivizio Pavic Tivizio Pavic is a PhD student in Psychology at Université Rennes 2, France, within the Laboratoire de Psychologie: Cognition, Comportement, Communication. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Sport Science and a master’s degree in Adapted Physical Activity and Health from Université Rennes 2. His research interests include Health Behaviours, Health Psychology, Support Strategies for Endometriosis, and Adapted Physical Activity. Florence Terrade Florence Terrade is a Full Professor specialising in Social and Health Psychology at Centre d’Etudes et de Recherches en psychopathologie et Psychologie de la Santé. Her work focuses on behaviour, persuasion regularly applied to the field of health and new technologies. Geneviève Cabagno Geneviève Cabagno is a Full Professor of social psychology in the Sport Science Department of University Rennes 2. Her work focuses on health and well-being, and the role of physical activity and sport as tools for education, prevention, and inclusion, especially for vulnerable populations.