The Mobile Applications for Low Back and Neck Pain Therapy: App Review

This study aimed to assess mobile applications (apps) designed for physiotherapy targeting low back pain (LBP) and neck pain (NP) using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS). The study employed an evaluation design, in which three reviewers conducted searches in English and Persian on Google Play in October 2024 to identify apps related to LBP and NP. After initial screening, the included apps were downloaded and installed on smartphones for further evaluation. The MARS questionnaire was utilized to evaluate apps. The total score obtained from the MARS questionnaire, along with the rating on the Google Play Store, was used to assess the quality and effectiveness of the apps. Eighteen apps, consisting of eight for NP and ten for LBP, were included in this study. Among LBP apps, the application "Back Pain Relief Exercises at Home" received the highest score (3.79/5). Moreover, the app "Lia - AI Posture Trainer" achieved the highest score among NP apps at 4.25/5. The findings showed that the apps available for NP and LBP are limited and low-quality. Given the increasing number of individuals suffering from these conditions, there is a clear need for up-to-date and high-quality software to provide daily patient support. These apps must be developed based on scientific studies and incorporate user feedback.