Development and Feasibility Testing of an Animated Cartoon-Based Self-Care Application for Low-Back Pain – a Pilot Study

Objectives: Use of animated cartoon for pain management is an emerging area, however, no study have explored it as a digital platform for rehabilitation of low-back pain (LBP). This study was aimed to develop and evaluate the feasibility of an animated cartoon-based self-care (ACBSC) app for LBP, and to examine the correlation between the app rating parameters and patients’ pain. Methods: This two-phase study comprised a development and feasibility testing components. Development of the ACBSC app was based on Mckenzie’s Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) extension protocolplus back hygiene following standard iteration and prototyping process. Twenty-eight consecutive patients with chronic non-specific LBP with 'direction Preference’ for extension based on the MDT screening algorithm participated in the feasibility phase. The participants utilized the cartoon-based app thrice weekly for two weeks. Outcomes were assessed in terms of usability, satisfaction and user’s experience using the system usability scale and mobile application rating scale. Quadruple visual analogue scale was used to assess pain intensity of the participants. Results: On a unified scale of 20, functionality (15.4 ± 2.41) and aesthetics 14 ± 2.00 had highest and least objective quality rating on the app parameters. Total objective and subjective quality rating of the app was 16.9 ± 1.97 and 15.6 ± 2.42 respectively. Total impact and usability score was 24.1 ± 3.39 (out of 30) and 27.8 ± 3.09 (out of 50). Participants reported that back care cartoon app mostly affect mindfulness/meditation/relaxation (42.9%), increases happiness/well-being (46.4%), leads to behavioural change (60.7%) and targets physical health (100%). There was no significant correlation between participants’ pain characteristics and app rating parameters (p>0.05). Conclusion: The animated cartoon-based self-care LBP app has moderate to high usability, functionality, aesthetics and quality rating, and may serve as an effective mobile-app for self-management of long-term LBP.