Effectiveness of Mobile-based Physiotherapy Application in Managing Neck Pain

Abstract

Background: Neck pain is becoming a major public health issue, with an increase in the burden of health expenses both in terms of personal health and well-being. Office professionals are identified as a specific population at high risk of developing neck pain, with one-year prevalence rates much higher than in the general population. Self-care is essential in today's overspeeding lifestyle. Healthy coping mechanisms are needed to have a balanced personal and professional life. There is a need to incorporate patient-centred and patient-driven care. Mobile application in healthcare management is an emerging healthcare innovation. Its functionality strongly impacts assessing symptoms, lifestyle monitoring, administering treatment programs, and clinical and administrative data collection. The potential of mHealth to reach anytime anywhere surpassing geographical and temporal barriers making it a preferred choice of healthcare delivery mode among patients and healthcare professionals. However, only a few mobile applications in healthcare management have scientific evidence.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of the developed mobile-based Physiotherapy application for neck pain in office professionals.

Methodology: An experimental descriptive study, where volunteers were selected based on selection criteria, Office professionals with neck pain of non-traumatic origin, and age between 18 to 59 years both male and female. They were assessed for outcome measures and subsequently received the designed intervention protocol through the mobile application. Total 12 sessions for 2 weeks.

Results: Participants who used the mobile application reported a significant reduction in neck pain, as showed by a decrease in the Numerical Pain Rating Scale scores (p<0.0001). There was also a notable improvement in the Neck Disability score, with a 4-point reduction (p<0.0001). Additionally, participants showed improved Postural Awareness and Positive Functioning Inventory scores (p<0.0001).

Conclusion: This study proves the positive effect of the developed mobile-based physiotherapy application for neck pain. The promising results suggest the need for further investigations, including randomized controlled trials, to explore the effectiveness of mobile applications compared to routine clinical care.