Mobile App-Supported Self-Management for Chronic Low Back Pain: Realist Evaluation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

As the world's population ages, the prevalence of chronic low back pain (CLBP) is increasing, placing a substantial burden on individuals and health care systems. Mobile health (mHealth) apps offer a potentially scalable solution to support self-management, but little is known about how, why, for whom, and under what circumstances such tools work in real-world settings.

objectives

This study aimed to test and refine 3 program theories-developed through a previous realist review-on how mobile apps support CLBP self-management. The goal was to understand the key contextual factors and mechanisms that influence when and why a digital self-management intervention may succeed or fail.

Methods

A realist evaluation was conducted using one-on-one telephone intervie

SUBMITTER: Hunter R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12912768 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature