Watch Your Back: Development and Usability of a Visual Feedback System for People with Low Back Pain – A Single Subject Usability Study

Background To find effective treatments for low back pain remains a major challenge in physical therapy. Numerous treatment methods currently exist, but the use of real-time visual feedback is a promising new therapeutic approach. The opportunities for its implementation and use require further research. Objective To develop a video-supported system for visual feedback and to test its usability. Method The prototype of a video-based system for visual feedback was developed and tested on a person with persistent unspecific lumbar back pain. The system was evaluated through an interview with the subject and the system usability scale (SUS). Results The subject was optimistic about the system’s functionality. He was astonished to see his own back while moving, which triggered positive emotions. He also found the apparatus comfortable to wear. The system achieved a value of 77.5 out of 100 on the SUS, which represents good usability. Conclusion By means of technical adjustments to avoid a delay in transmission and an exact positioning of the monitor, further improvements in the usability can be achieved. More research will be required to evaluate the efficacy of the developed system in the treatment of lumbar back pain.