Authors (including presenting author) :
Chan CYK(1), Lam CS(1), Ng CK (1), Fung MLE(1), Louie TMF(1), Leung KY(1)
Affiliation :
(1) Occupational Therapy Department, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital (AHNH)
Introduction :
Low back pain (LBP) is a common and disabling condition. LBP may become chronic and persist after normal healing process of tissue. Diffuse and fluctuating natures of chronic pain with co-existing neuropathic pain hamper patient’s quality of life. Self-management of pain is essential to maintain independent living and reduce health care burden. Accessible resource is critical for effective self-management. With the integration of mobile devices in daily life, mobile application could provide information timely meeting users’ need beyond hospital care. A mobile application was developed for patients with chronic LBP to enhance self-management. (1) Ergonomic and energy conservation advice during activities of daily living, (2) pacing techniques, (3) Health Qigong and (4) basic knowledge on employees’ compensation after work injuries are included in the mobile application.
Objectives :
To evaluate effectiveness of the mobile application on chronic LBP self-management.
Methodology :
12 patients with chronic LBP were recruited by convenient sampling during day patient programs in the Pain Management Clinic of AHNH from November to December 2021. Quick Response code and hyperlink were provided for download of application. Case therapist was present to provide technical support and resolve enquiry. Patients’ feedback after 1-week trial was collected with a questionnaire. Electronic devices were provided for patients with difficulty to access the mobile application.
Result & Outcome :
10 patients, 7 females and 3 males, with mean age of 47.8 year-old (SD=10.6) completed the trial and questionnaire. The mean duration of pain is 43.3 months (SD=50.4) ranged from 6 to 174 months.
100% respondents agreed that the interface is user-friendly and information is sufficient; 90% agreed that the mobile application improves their knowledge of pain management and convenient to read; 80% agreed that the mobile application is easy to access and improves self-efficacy to manage pain in daily living; 70% agreed the mobile application attracts them to continue browsing.
The positive feedback from patients supports the development of mobile application to enhance self-management of chronic pain. This mobile application may serve as cornerstone to recruit multidisciplinary effort to develop a more versatile application for patients suffer from chronic pain. Disease-specific self-management mobile applications may be feasible for other chronic conditions include stroke or pulmonary disease.
