scholarly journals Assessment of the Quality of Mobile Applications (Apps) for Management of Low Back Pain Using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS)

Author(s):  
Adrian Escriche-Escuder ◽  
Irene De-Torres ◽  
Cristina Roldán-Jiménez ◽  
Jaime Martín-Martín ◽  
Antonio Muro-Culebras ◽  
...  

Digital health interventions may improve different behaviours. However, the rapid proliferation of technological solutions often does not allow for a correct assessment of the quality of the tools. This study aims to review and assess the quality of the available mobile applications (apps) related to interventions for low back pain. Two reviewers search the official stores of Android (Play Store) and iOS (App Store) for localisation in Spain and the United Kingdom, in September 2019, searching for apps related to interventions for low back pain. Seventeen apps finally are included. The quality of the apps is measured using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS). The scores of each section and the final score of the apps are retrieved and the mean and standard deviation obtained. The average quality ranges between 2.83 and 4.57 (mean 3.82) on a scale from 1 (inadequate) to 5 (excellent). The best scores are found in functionality (4.7), followed by aesthetic content (mean 4.1). Information (2.93) and engagement (3.58) are the worst rated items. Apps generally have good overall quality, especially in terms of functionality and aesthetics. Engagement and information should be improved in most of the apps. Moreover, scientific evidence is necessary to support the use of applied health tools.

TRAUMA ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 86
Author(s):  
V.I. Romanenko

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. e001068
Author(s):  
Shaun Wellburn ◽  
Cormac G Ryan ◽  
Andrew Coxon ◽  
Alastair J Dickson ◽  
D John Dickson ◽  
...  

ObjectivesEvaluate the outcomes and explore experiences of patients undergoing a residential combined physical and psychological programme (CPPP) for chronic low back pain.DesignA longitudinal observational cohort design, with a parallel qualitative design using semistructured interviews.SettingResidential, multimodal rehabilitation.Participants136 adults (62 male/74 female) referred to the CPPP, 100 (44 male/56 female) of whom completed the programme, during the term of the study. Ten (2 male/8 female) participated in the qualitative evaluation.InterventionA 3-week residential CPPP.Outcome measuresPrimary outcome measures were the STarT Back screening tool score; pain intensity—11-point Numerical Rating Scale; function—Oswestry Disability Index (ODI); health status/quality of life—EQ-5D-5L EuroQol five-Dimension-five level; anxiety—Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7; depression—Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Secondary outcome measures were the Global Subjective Outcome Scale; National Health Service Friends and Family Test;.ResultsAt discharge, 6 and 12 months follow ups, there were improvements from baseline that were greater than minimum clinically important differences in each of the outcomes (with the sole exception of ODI at discharge). At 12 months, the majority of people considered themselves a lot better (57%) and were extremely likely (86%) to recommend the programme to a friend. The qualitative data showed praise for the residential nature of the intervention and the opportunities for interaction with peers and peer support. There were testimonies of improvements in understanding of pain and how to manage it better. Some participants said they had reduced, or stopped, medication they had been taking to manage their pain.ConclusionsParticipants improved, and maintained long term, beyond minimum clinically important differences on a wide range of outcomes. Participants reported an enhanced ability to self-manage their back pain and support for the residential setting.


Author(s):  
Yen-Mou Lu ◽  
Chung-Hwan Chen ◽  
Yi-Jing Lue

BACKGROUND: Sex and gender affect responses to pain, but little is known about disability and quality of life. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of sex and gender on disability and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with low back pain. METHODS: Ninety-three patients with low back pain were included in this cross-sectional survey study. Disability, HRQOL and gender identity were respectively assessed with the Oswestry Disability Index, Short Form-36 and Bem Sex Role Inventory. The participants were classified into four gender role orientations (masculinity, femininity, androgyny and undifferentiated). One-way analysis of variance was used to analyze both the sex and the gender role orientation. RESULTS: Females had higher disability than males (p< 0.05), but in gender identity, no significant difference was found. Seven domains of HRQOL were lower than the healthy norms. Males experienced greater impacts than females on vitality and mental health (p< 0.05). For gender identity, five domains of HRQOL had significant differences (p< 0.05). Masculinity orientation had the least impact on four domains (p< 0.05), while undifferentiated orientation had the largest impact on all domains. CONCLUSION: Sex and gender effects can be used to analyze disability and HRQOL in patients with low back pain. Females have higher disability, while HRQOL is greatly influenced by different gender role orientations.


Author(s):  
Waleska Reyes-Ferrada ◽  
Luis Chirosa-Rios ◽  
Angela Rodriguez-Perea ◽  
Daniel Jerez-Mayorga ◽  
Ignacio Chirosa-Rios

Background: The purpose of this systematic review was to: (I) determine the quality of evidence from studies assessing trunk isokinetic strength in subjects with acute low back pain (ALBP) compared to healthy subjects and (II) establish reference values of isokinetic trunk strength in subjects with ALBP. Methodology: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statements were followed using keywords associated with trunk, strength and low back pain. Four databases were used: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and SPORTDiscus. Methodological quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS). Results: A total of 1604 articles were retrieved, four included in this review. All were evaluated as high risk of bias (Rob). Due to the high Rob and the diversity of protocols, instruments and variables used, it was not possible to determine reference values for subjects with ALBP, we can only establish a range of flexion peak torque (PT) between 175.1 and 89.7 Nm at 60°/s and between 185 and 81.5 Nm at 120°/s, and for extension PT between 240.0 and 91.5 Nm at 60°/s and between 217.5 and 69.2 Nm at 120°/s in subjects with ALBP. Conclusions: Due to the low quality of the evidence and the diversity of protocols used when measuring trunk isokinetic strength, it is necessary to carry out new high-quality research to establish reference values of trunk strength in subjects with ALBP.


2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (04) ◽  
pp. 300-305
Author(s):  
Ana Carla Schimidt ◽  
Paula de Oliveira Herzinger ◽  
Danielle Pacheco Matias ◽  
Leonardo C. Welling

AbstractLow back pain is defined as pain located between the lower rib cage and the gluteal folds, and its etiology is multifactorial, considerably affecting quality of life. The aim of this literature review was to analyze the influence of the Pilates method on the symptoms of patients with nonspecific low back pain, which is considered a promising treatment for this type of pathology. A narrative review of the literature was carried out using the PubMed, Pedro, Scopus and Scielo databases. To perform the search, Pilates AND Low back nonspecific AND Pain were used as keywords. Articles published in the last 5 years, randomized clinical trials that verified the influence of the Pilates method in adult individuals with unspecified low back pain and full text in English were included. Of the 77 articles identified, 7 articles met the inclusion criteria, 7 analyzed the primary outcomes of pain intensity and disability, 5 articles compared Pilates with other rehabilitation techniques and 2 studies compared the effectiveness of Pilates solo with Pilates apparatus. It was concluded that all the techniques that were compared with Pilates are effective, being difficult to affirm the superiority of Pilates over them in relation to the reduction of pain and disability and improvement of quality of life. However, the Pilates method has shown good results in pain perception and intensity, functional capacity, fear of movement and the idea that movement can worsen your condition, muscle strength, range of motion and flexibility.


2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 503-512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akihiko Hiyama ◽  
Masahiko Watanabe ◽  
Hiroyuki Katoh ◽  
Masato Sato ◽  
Daisuke Sakai ◽  
...  

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vahideh Moradi ◽  
Amir-Hossein Memari ◽  
Monir ShayestehFar ◽  
Ramin Kordi

We aimed to examine systematically the available evidence on risk factors of low back pain (LBP) in athletes. We performed search without language restriction in PubMed, Ovid, Google Scholar, Scopus, and CINAHL. Longitudinal studies that examined possible risk factors of LBP in athletes were included in this systematic review. Based on methodological quality of studies, a best-evidence synthesis was conducted. Seven longitudinal studies were included, four of which had high methodological quality. Results showed that previous LBP, decreased lumbar flexion, and decreased lumbar extension are positively associated with LBP. There was moderate evidence for hip flexor tightness and high body weight as a risk factor. We found insufficient evidence for association between forward bending, previous injury, and amount of training per week, active years, age, and sex with LBP. In conclusion this study would provide a list of risk factors for LBP in athletes, though it showed a strong evidence for only a few including decrease lumbar flexion or extension, previous LBP, and high body weight. This review indicated a high heterogeneity of study characteristics including assessed risk factors and statistical techniques might limit the quality of evidence.


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