Development of mobile app for self-management of functionality in patients with low back pain

Abstract

Intervention models, such as the use of mHealth (mobile health) via APP are gaining space due to the popularization and expansion of the use of mobile phones, which may be a tool for self-management of low back pain patients' health. OBJECTIVES: to develop and evaluate the influence of an APP exercise program on the functionality, pain and quality of life of low back pain patients. METHODS: This is a randomized controlled trial of 120 patients with low back pain. These patients will be divided into 2 groups: control group (n = 60) and intervention group (n = 60). The intervention group will receive, through an APP, guidelines for performing specific strengthening and stretching exercises focused on the spine. The control group will not receive any intervention. Participants will be assessed before and after the intervention period for the following criteria: Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain symptoms, Oswestry Disability Index questionnaire functionality, Wells bench test muscle flexibility, Berg balance scale balance and quality of life by the EQ-5D questionnaire. Posteriorly, the data will undergo descriptive statistical analysis to obtain the average, standard deviation, absolute and relative value of the variables collected from data tabulated in an Excel spreadsheet and inferential analysis using GraphPad Prism 5.0. Kolmogorov Smirnov paired T or Mann-Whitney tests will be applied depending on the sample distribution. The significance level adopted for all tests will be p <0.05. (AU)