{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,1]],"date-time":"2026-10-01T05:53:59Z","timestamp":1790834039032,"version":"4.1.0"},"reference-count":46,"publisher":"JMIR Publications Inc.","issue":"2","content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["JMIR Rehabil Assist Technol"],"abstract":"\n Background<\/jats:title>\n Self-management is the key recommendation for managing nonspecific low back pain (LBP). However, there are well-documented barriers to self-management; therefore, methods of facilitating adherence are required. Smartphone apps are increasingly being used to support self-management of long-term conditions such as LBP.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Objective<\/jats:title>\n The aim of this study was to assess the usability and acceptability of the SELFBACK smartphone app, designed to support and facilitate self-management of non-specific LBP. The app provides weekly self-management plans, comprising physical activity, strength and flexibility exercises, and patient education. The plans are tailored to the patient\u2019s characteristics and symptom progress by using case-based reasoning methodology.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Methods<\/jats:title>\n The study was carried out in 2 stages using a mixed-methods approach. All participants undertook surveys, and semistructured telephone interviews were conducted with a subgroup of participants. Stage 1 assessed an app version with only the physical activity component and a web questionnaire that collects information necessary for tailoring the self-management plans. The physical activity component included monitoring of steps recorded by a wristband, goal setting, and a scheme for sending personalized, timely, and motivational notifications to the user\u2019s smartphone. Findings from Stage 1 were used to refine the app and inform further development. Stage 2 investigated an app version that incorporated 3 self-management components (physical activity, exercises, and education). A total of 16 participants (age range 23-71 years) with ongoing or chronic nonspecific LBP were included in Stage 1, and 11 participants (age range 32-56 years) were included in Stage 2.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Results<\/jats:title>\n In Stage 1, 15 of 16 participants reported that the baseline questionnaire was easy to answer, and 84% (13\/16) found the completion time to be acceptable. Overall, participants were positive about the usability of the physical activity component but only 31% (5\/16) found the app functions to be well integrated. Of the participants, 90% (14\/16) were satisfied with the notifications, and they were perceived as being personalized (12\/16, 80%). In Stage 2, all participants reported that the web questionnaire was easy to answer and the completion time acceptable. The physical activity and exercise components were rated useful by 80% (8\/10), while 60% (6\/10) rated the educational component useful. Overall, participants were satisfied with the usability of the app; however, only 50% (5\/10) found the functions to be well integrated, and 20% (2\/10) found them to be inconsistent. Overall, 80% (8\/10) of participants reported it to be useful for self-management. The interviews largely reinforced the survey findings in both stages.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Conclusions<\/jats:title>\n This study has demonstrated that participants considered the SELFBACK app to be acceptable and usable and that they thought it would be useful for supporting self-management of LBP. However, we identified some limitations and suggestions useful to guide further development of the SELFBACK app and other mobile health interventions.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.2196\/18729","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2020,7,6]],"date-time":"2020-07-06T23:13:33Z","timestamp":1594077213000},"page":"e18729","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":41,"title":["Usability and Acceptability of an App (SELFBACK) to Support Self-Management of Low Back Pain: Mixed Methods Study"],"prefix":"10.2196","volume":"7","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-6675-169X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Anne 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