Qualitative evaluation of the SMART2 self-management system for people in chronic pain.
PURPOSE
Technology could support the self-management of long-term health conditions such as chronic pain. This article describes an evaluation of SMART2, a personalised self-management system incorporating activity planning and review, feedback on behaviour- and acceptance-based therapeutic exercises.


METHOD
The SMART2 system was evaluated over a four-week trial in the homes of people in chronic pain. At conclusion, participants were interviewed to understand the experience of using and living with the SMART2 system as a therapeutic tool.


RESULTS
Qualitative analysis of the interviews found that participants liked the system and reported making associated changes to their behaviour. Goal setting and feedback were the most useful elements of the system. A third key and unexpected element was that by simulating some of the functions of a therapist, SMART2 also simulated some of the process of interacting with a therapist.


CONCLUSIONS
People in chronic pain may experience positive outcomes when using a self-management system designed for behaviour change. Furthermore, some of the supportive aspects of the therapeutic context can be elicited by self-management technologies. Implications of Rehabilitation Self-management technology has the potential to assist rehabilitation by supporting goal setting and providing feedback. By simulating some of the functions of a therapist, technology can simulate some of the process of therapy during rehabilitation. People in chronic pain liked using the technology in their own home and thought it could augment services delivered by clinical practitioners. Complex programmes of therapeutic exercises delivered by technology had limited success in engaging people in chronic pain.
['Duggan|Geoffrey B|GB|', 'Keogh|Edmund|E|', 'Mountain|Gail A|GA|', 'McCullagh|Paul|P|', 'Leake|Jason|J|', 'Eccleston|Christopher|C|']
D000328:Adult D000368:Aged D059350:Chronic Pain D005246:Feedback D005260:Female D006040:Goals D006801:Humans D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities D010865:Pilot Projects D012648:Self Care D012656:Self-Help Devices
Assisted living technologies E-health telemedicine