ACLOGY
JUL - OCT 2023 /
Mobile App | Figma | Product Design | User Research | Usability Testing
What did I do?
User Interviews
Product Concept & Wireframes
UI Design System
Clickable Prototype
THE GIST
ACLOGY is a self-driven project dedicated to individuals recovering from an ACL tear (see here if you have no idea what I'm talking about). The idea was aimed to help users identify and address pain points during recovery so they can confidently return an active lifestyle.
Problem Space
The ACL rehab and recovery process is just as much mental—if not more—than physical, and studies have highlighted a link between experiencing an injury and psychological challenges such as frustration and disengagement.
The Challenge
How could ACLOGY simplify the recovery process and instill confidence in users throughout their journey?
A physio app, strava, & reddit walked into a bar...
Drawing inspiration from the community engagement of Reddit, the tracking features of Strava, the structured workout plans of gym apps, ACLOGY aims to be a comprehensive platform that aids users in achieving a successful and sustainable recovery.
Humanizing the app experience.
Based on user feedback, I incorporated interactive features such as conversational elements that simulate real-time support to encourage users to engage with the app more actively and make them feel less alone in their struggles.
THE PROBLEM SPACE
Only 60% of nonelite athletes return to their preinjury level of sport after ACL surgery.
/ RESEARCH + USER PAIN POINTS
8 of 9 interviewees experienced a plateau after returning to daily life
Studies from the Arthroscopy, Sports Medicine, and Rehabilitation Journal revealed that ACL injuries entail psychological concerns such as uncertainty, fear, and reduced knee self-efficacy; and how such negatively charged affective feelings can influence treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction.
Next, I interviewed 9 people who underwent ACL surgery & have not returned to sport. There was a strong correlation between uncertainty and failing to return to sport; and interviewees expressed a lack of motivation to prioritize their recovery over daily life.
Research Insights
How might we help patients feel confident and responsible for about their recovery so they can return to sport without fear of reinjury?
3 major design improvements
based on usability testing & user feedback
Humanize app experience
- Based on user feedback, personifying the support to guide the user throughout recovery seemed to evoke more empathy
- Increases emotional engagement; feel more understood and less alone in their struggles
- Offers interactive features such as conversations
- Make app experience more enjoyable and encourage regular use
Increase focus on mental
- User testing revealed that the initial homepage design was not prioritizing mental aspects enough
- Emphasis on goals and exercise should not minimize attention on mental health
- Switch to a more inviting mental check-in with the app's companion
- Overview of energy levels + mentality patterns so users can identify when they may need more support
Broadcast feed
- To address the accountability aspect, feed feature to share and document recovery milestones
- Social media feeds encourage better behavior as appears more "public"
- Instant gratification of likes/comments to encourage consistency
- Support groups/discussion forms about mental health and rehabilitation tips
FINAL OUTCOME
My learnings
This project taught me the importance of designing with empathy. Addressing the emotional barriers of recovery, like motivation and fear of reinjury, proved more challenging than the physical aspects. I experimented with Augmented Reality, only to find through feedback that it would be more of a hassle than a help. This reinforced the value of iterative testing and feedback in refining features to truly meet users' needs and enhance their recovery experience.
What's next?
While I've taken a step back from this project, I do plan on circling back one day (who knows, maybe I'll develop it!) and further explore more barriers and discover different opportunities to increase accountability (i.e. monetary consequences, gamification). I'd also revisit the visual design to better adhere to WCAG standards.