Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Human Factors
Date Submitted: May 1, 2024
Date Accepted: Sep 13, 2024
Exploring the needs of people with chronic low back pain and healthcare professionals for mHealth devices to support self-managed physical activity and pain: a user-centered design approach
ABSTRACT
Background:
Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a major economic and social problem worldwide. Despite the variety of recommended treatments, long-term self-management of this condition is complex and requires the development of innovative interventions. Mobile health (mHealth) technologies hold great promise for the management of chronic pain, particularly to support physical activity. However, their implementation is challenged by a lack of user compliance and limited engagement, which may be due to insufficient consideration of the needs of potential users during development.
Objective:
The main aim of this study was to explore the needs of people with CLBP and healthcare professionals regarding mHealth technologies to support self-managed physical activity, and to delineate design recommendations based on identified needs.
Methods:
A participatory study was conducted using a 3-phase, user-centered design approach: needs investigation with a group of experts in a workshop (phase 1), needs exploration with end users in focus groups (phase 2), and validation of needs using Delphi questionnaires followed by the development of a set of recommendations (phase 3).
Results:
A total of 121 people with CLBP, expert patients, healthcare professionals, rehabilitation researchers and biomechanical engineers participated in this study. The results indicated how technology could help people with CLBP overcome their difficulties with managing physical activity. Specific needs were formulated concerning device objectives, expected strategies, functionalities, technical features, conditions of use, as well as potential facilitators and barriers to use. These needs were validated by consensus from potential end-users (n=86) and translated into design recommendations.
Conclusions:
This study provides design recommendations for the development of an mHealth device specifically adapted for people with CLBP.
Citation
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Copyright
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