Factors influencing the use of an artificial intelligence-based app (selfBACK) for tailored self-management support among adults with neck and/or low back pain

Tailored self-management support is recommended as first-line treatment for neck and low back pain, for which mHealth applications could be promising. However, there is limited knowledge about factors influencing the engagement with such apps. The aim of this study was to assess barriers and facilitators for engaging with a self-management mHealth app among adults suffering from neck and/or low back pain. We carried out a qualitative descriptive study among adults with neck and/or low back pain. The artificial intelligence-based selfBACK app supports tailored self-management of neck and low back pain and was used for 6 weeks. After these 6 weeks, participants were interviewed by phone. Thirty-two adults (17 males) with neck and/or low back pain participated (mean age = 54.9 (SD = 15.8)). Our results show that the mode of delivery and the novelty of the selfBACK app were perceived most often as a barrier to use the app. The action plans of the app and health-related factors were perceived most often as facilitating factors. This study provides insight into possible strategies to improve an mHealth service. Furthermore, it shows that adults with neck and/or low back pain are willing and ready to receive blended treatment. Adults with neck and/or low back pain are willing to receive blended care (combination of face-to-face contact with healthcare professional and use of eHealth service)When implementing eHealth services in rehabilitation treatment of adults with neck and/or low back pain, rehabilitation professionals need to choose an eHealth service which includes individual action plans, evidence-based content with health benefits, goal setting and rewards and incentives.When implementing eHealth services in rehabilitation treatment of adults with neck and/or low back pain, rehabilitation professionals need to choose an eHealth service which can be used on someone’s own smartphone.When implementing eHealth services in rehabilitation treatment of adults with neck and/or low back pain, rehabilitation professionals need to educate their patients about the importance and possible long-term benefits of self-managing their pain. Adults with neck and/or low back pain are willing to receive blended care (combination of face-to-face contact with healthcare professional and use of eHealth service) When implementing eHealth services in rehabilitation treatment of adults with neck and/or low back pain, rehabilitation professionals need to choose an eHealth service which includes individual action plans, evidence-based content with health benefits, goal setting and rewards and incentives. When implementing eHealth services in rehabilitation treatment of adults with neck and/or low back pain, rehabilitation professionals need to choose an eHealth service which can be used on someone’s own smartphone. When implementing eHealth services in rehabilitation treatment of adults with neck and/or low back pain, rehabilitation professionals need to educate their patients about the importance and possible long-term benefits of self-managing their pain.

针对颈痛与下腰痛，个性化自我管理支持被推荐为一线治疗方案，而移动健康（mHealth）应用在此领域颇具应用前景。然而，目前学界对影响此类应用使用参与度的因素尚缺乏充分认知。本研究旨在评估颈痛和/或下腰痛成人患者使用个性化自我管理型移动健康应用的阻碍因素与促进因素。我们针对颈痛和/或下腰痛成人患者开展了一项定性描述性研究。本研究使用的基于人工智能（Artificial Intelligence）的selfBACK应用可为颈痛与下腰痛患者提供个性化自我管理支持，受试者使用该应用时长为6周。6周结束后，研究人员通过电话对受试者进行访谈。本研究共纳入32名成人受试者（其中男性17名），平均年龄为54.9岁（标准差SD=15.8）。我们的研究结果显示，应用的交付方式与新颖性是受试者使用该应用最常提及的阻碍因素；而应用内置的行动方案与健康相关因素则是最常被提及的促进因素。本研究为优化移动健康服务提供了可参考的策略方向。此外，研究表明颈痛和/或下腰痛成人患者愿意且准备好接受混合式治疗。颈痛和/或下腰痛成人患者愿意接受混合式照护（即与医疗保健专业人员进行面对面接触结合使用电子健康（eHealth）服务的模式）。在为颈痛和/或下腰痛成人患者开展康复治疗时应用电子健康服务，康复专业人员需选择包含个性化行动方案、具有健康益处的循证内容、目标设定以及奖励与激励机制的电子健康服务。在为颈痛和/或下腰痛成人患者开展康复治疗时应用电子健康服务，康复专业人员需选择可在患者个人智能手机上使用的电子健康服务。在为颈痛和/或下腰痛成人患者开展康复治疗时应用电子健康服务，康复专业人员需向患者讲解自我管理疼痛的重要性及其可能带来的长期健康益处。颈痛和/或下腰痛成人患者愿意接受混合式照护（即与医疗保健专业人员进行面对面接触结合使用电子健康服务的模式）。在为颈痛和/或下腰痛成人患者开展康复治疗时应用电子健康服务，康复专业人员需选择包含个性化行动方案、具有健康益处的循证内容、目标设定以及奖励与激励机制的电子健康服务。在为颈痛和/或下腰痛成人患者开展康复治疗时应用电子健康服务，康复专业人员需选择可在患者个人智能手机上使用的电子健康服务。在为颈痛和/或下腰痛成人患者开展康复治疗时应用电子健康服务，康复专业人员需向患者讲解自我管理疼痛的重要性及其可能带来的长期健康益处。