Grant: Catalyst Grant: Personalized Health Catalyst Grants

The WHO estimates that chronic pain impacts 1 in 5 people worldwide with significant global morbidity and cost. Successful management requires patient engagement in tailored (i.e. precision) collaborative management beyond medication to include physical, psychological, social and spiritual aspects. Yet, there is a lack of capacity in our healthcare system. New technology, such as connected mHealth activity trackers and apps, may support patients in engaging in better chronic pain management in a way that is measureable and sustainable. OBJECTIVE: This study seeks to design and test a patient-oriented, connected mHealth app that will support adults of both sexes and varied genders with chronic back pain to engage in personalized health behaviours to improve function and quality of life. APPROACH: 2-year mixed method design research study with 2 phases. 1. DESIGN RESEARCH: working with 8-10 patients, we will design a novel, gamified, precision mHealth app to support patients with the range of supports to manage chronic pain. This will be theoretically informed (e.g. Mindfulness Based Strengths Practice, Integrated Behavioral Change model, habit formation model) and will allow for user tailoring based on gender and sex. 2. FEASBILITY STUDY: 15 adult patients and their providers will be recruited to use the app as part of care for at least 10 weeks. We will measure outcomes using PROMIS based PROMS and PREMS as well as interview data from participants (patients and providers) TEAM: Patients (working with BC SPOR SUPPORT unit), primary care providers / researchers, software engineering researcher, design researcher with experience in eHealth design and development. The primary knowledge users are PainBC and Ayogo, is an award-winning company focusing on mHealth software.