Refining the design of a smartphone application for people with chronic low back pain using mixed quantitative and qualitative approaches

Maxime Grolier; Alexandre Arefyev; Bruno Pereira; Isabel Tavares Figueiredo; Laurent Gerbaud; Emmanuel Coudeyre

doi:10.1080/17483107.2020.1839575

Refining the design of a smartphone application for people with chronic low back pain using mixed quantitative and qualitative approaches

Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol. 2023 Feb;18(2):145-150. doi: 10.1080/17483107.2020.1839575. Epub 2020 Nov 5.

Authors

Maxime Grolier¹, Alexandre Arefyev¹, Bruno Pereira², Isabel Tavares Figueiredo³, Laurent Gerbaud⁴, Emmanuel Coudeyre¹

Affiliations

¹ Service de Médecine Physique et de Réadaptation, C.H.U. Clermont-Ferrand, Université Clermont-Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
² Délégation à la Recherche Clinique et à l'Innovation, C.H.U. Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
³ Service de Médecine Physique et de Réadaptation, C.H.U. Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
⁴ Service de santé publique, C.H.U. Clermont-Ferrand, équipe PEPRADE, Clermont-Ferrand, France.

PMID: 33151760
DOI: 10.1080/17483107.2020.1839575

Abstract

Introduction: A mobile application has the potential to involve people with chronic NSLBP in their rehabilitation. To refine the design of a smartphone application for people with chronic NSLBP using mixed quantitative and qualitative approaches.

Methods: We used a user-centred design approach involving people with chronic NSLBP and healthcare professionals (HCPs). We used a three-step methodology: developing consensus on the features, content, and design of the app; developing a user interface; and usability testing of the app and assessing users' experience. Transcripts of interviews of users were analyzed by qualitative content analysis.

Results: A total of 18 people (aged 45 [23-53] years old) with chronic NSLBP, and 7 HCPs (aged 29.5 [25-55] years old) involved in NSLBP management were interviewed. The overall experience of using the smartphone eLombactif app was initially assessed. Then, with close-ended questions we evaluated users' judgements on the content, its presentation and navigation. Finally, we asked for suggestions: "application content and functionality" and "content presentation" from participants regarding the use and development of the app analyzed by a qualitative methodology.

Conclusions: This study described how we refined the design of our application for people with chronic NSLBP using a qualitative and quantitative approaches. This methodology allows for deepening the knowledge of the needs and expectations of potential users by measuring their user experience.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONNon-specific low back pain (NSLBP) is a major global public health issue leading to considerable economic cost and is primarily responsible for pain and disability.Mobile application has the potential to involve people with chronic NSLBP in their rehabilitation.This study described how we refined the design of our application for people with chronic NSLBP using a qualitative and quantitative approaches.

Keywords: eHealth; exercise movement techniques; low back pain; mHealth; mobile application; self-management.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Disabled Persons*
Humans
Low Back Pain*
Middle Aged
Mobile Applications*
Smartphone
Young Adult