The feasibility of M-health for people with chronic low back pain in Shanghai, China: A qualitative study.
Waner Xie, Guojiong Hu, Yijin Wang and 4 others
PMID 40535985WHAT IT FOUND
Patients and physiotherapists in Shanghai found mobile health acceptable for chronic low back pain, citing convenience and better exercise adherence.
However, they rejected it as a standalone solution due to the inability to perform physical exams, lack of insurance coverage, and poor real-time feedback.
Key findings
01Most patients accepted mobile health, but most physiotherapists only accepted it under specific circumstances.
02The primary barriers to adoption were the inability to conduct physical examinations like palpation, the lack of real-time feedback on exercise form, and the absence of insurance coverage.
03Participants recommended integrating mobile health with face-to-face care rather than using it alone, allowing therapists to perform assessments while the app guides home exercise.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
Participants were recruited only from outpatient clinics in Shanghai, so views may not reflect those of people in rural or less-developed areas of China. The study excluded patients with serious pathologies or acute pain, limiting generalisability to the broader low back pain population. Acceptance was based on a video demonstration of the app, not on actual long-term use of the technology.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The study was funded by the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission and an internal hospital talent program.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the high patient acceptance rate as evidence that mobile health is clinically effective for reducing pain or disability. This study explored attitudes and feasibility, not treatment outcomes. The lack of physical examination capabilities and real-time feedback identified by therapists are significant clinical safety concerns that must be addressed before implementation.