Developing Smartphone Mobile Application for Musculoskeletal Health: The Development and Initial Evaluation of Fizyoid

Year 2025, Volume: 9 Issue: 3, 448 - 456, 30.09.2025

Fatma Uguz Selcuk , Ummuhan Baş Aslan , Raziye Şavkın

https://doi.org/10.30621/jbachs.1582290

Abstract

Developing Smartphone Mobile Application for Musculoskeletal Health: The Development and Initial Evaluation of Fizyoid

Abstract

Purpose: This study developed the Turkish app "Fizyoid" to manage chronic musculoskeletal disorders through personalized exercise programs and evaluated user experience and initial health outcomes.
Material and Methods: The study had four stages: (1) app development, (2) feedback on exercises, (3) user experience evaluation, and (4) app performance measurement. Data from the first six months post-release were analyzed.
Results: Of 149 users who downloaded Fizyoid, 21 used it for four weeks and completed a pre- and post-use Personal Test. Nine users contacted a physiotherapist, 31 notifications were accessed, two users completed a Satisfaction Survey, and nine reviewed the app on Google Play with a 4.7-star rating. Physical improvements were modest, suggesting longer-term use may yield better results.
Conclusions: Fizyoid shows potential as a user-friendly tool for musculoskeletal health. While satisfaction and engagement are high, the short evaluation period limits conclusions on physical outcomes, warranting further research on long-term effectiveness and integration with healthcare services.

Keywords

digitalization , mobile health application , musculoskeletal health , physical therapy , self-management

References

• Abernethy A, Adams L, Barrett M, et al. The promise of digital health: then, now, and the future. NAM Perspect 2022; 10.31478/202206e.
• Aitken M. Digital health trends. Danbury (CT): IQVIA Institute 2021.
• Bort-Roig J, Gilson ND, Puig-Ribera A, Contreras RS, Trost SG. Measuring and influencing physical activity with smartphone technology: a systematic review. Sports Med 2014; 44:671-686.
• Cieza A, Causey K, Kamenov K, Hanson SW, Chatterji S, Vos T. Global estimates of the need for rehabilitation based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Lancet 2021; 396(10267):2006-2017.
• De la Corte-Rodriguez H, Roman-Belmonte JM, Resino-Luis C, Madrid-Gonzalez J, Rodriguez-Merchan EC. The role of physical exercise in chronic musculoskeletal pain: best medicine—a narrative review. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12(2):242.
• Digital health for musculoskeletal care market report, 2030. Digital health for musculoskeletal care market size, share & trends analysis report by component (hardware, software & services), by end-use (patients, providers), by region, and segment forecasts, 2024–2030. Available from: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/digital-health-musculoskeletal-care-market-report [Accessed September 09, 2024].
• Dunphy E, Hamilton FL, Spasić I, Button K. Acceptability of a digital health intervention alongside physiotherapy to support patients following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2017; 18(1):471.
• Gentili A, Failla G, Melnyk A, Puleo V, Tanna GLD, Ricciardi W, Cascini F. The cost-effectiveness of digital health interventions: a systematic review of the literature. Front Public Health 2022; 10:787135.
• Larsson ME, Kreuter M, Nordholm L. Is patient responsibility for managing musculoskeletal disorders related to self-reported better outcome of physiotherapy treatment? Physiother Theory Pract 2010; 26(5):308-317.
• Lewis R, Gómez Álvarez CB, Rayman M, Lanham-New S, Woolf A, Mobasheri A. Strategies for optimising musculoskeletal health in the 21st century. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2019; 20(1):164.
• Lou J, Han N, Wang D, Pei X. Effects of mobile identity on smartphone symbolic use: an attachment theory perspective. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19(21):14036.
• Mahmood A, Kedia S, Wyant DK, Ahn S, Bhuyan SS. Use of mobile health applications for health-promoting behavior among individuals with chronic medical conditions. Digit Health 2019; 5:2055207619882181.
• Malik KM, Beckerly R, Imani F. Musculoskeletal disorders a universal source of pain and disability misunderstood and mismanaged: a critical analysis based on the U.S. model of care. Anesth Pain Med 2018; 8(6).
• Mattila E, Lappalainen R, Pärkkä J, Salminen J, Korhonen I. Use of a mobile phone diary for observing weight management and related behaviours. J Telemed Telecare 2010; 16:260-264.
• MacPherson MM, Merry KJ, Locke SR, Jung ME. Effects of mobile health prompts on self-monitoring and exercise behaviors following a diabetes prevention program: secondary analysis from a randomized controlled trial. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2019 ;7(9):e12956.
• Mobile network subscriptions worldwide 2028. Statista. Available from: https://www.statista.com/statistics/330695/number-of-smartphone-users-worldwide [Accessed September 09, 2024].
• Nagel J, Wegener F, Grim C, Hoppe MW. Effects of digital physical health exercises on musculoskeletal diseases: systematic review with best-evidence synthesis. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2024; 12.
• Patterson JA, Amick RZ, Pandya PD, Hakansson N, Jorgensen MJ. Comparison of a mobile technology application with the balance error scoring system. Int J Athl Ther Train 2014; 19:4-7.
• Ryan S, Ní Chasaide N, O'Hanrahan S, Corcoran D, Caulfield B, Argent R. mHealth apps for musculoskeletal rehabilitation: systematic search in app stores and content analysis. JMIR Rehabil Assist Technol 2022; 9(3).
• Sardi L, Idri A, Fernández-Alemán JL. A systematic review of gamification in e-health. J Biomed Inform 2017; 71:31-48.
• Sebbag E, Felten R, Sagez F, et al. The worldwide burden of musculoskeletal diseases: a systematic analysis of the World Health Organization Burden of Diseases Database. Ann Rheum Dis 2019; 78:844-848.
• Thompson D, Rattu S, Tower J, Egerton T, Francis J, Merolli M. Mobile app use to support therapeutic exercise for musculoskeletal pain conditions may help improve pain intensity and self-reported physical function: a systematic review. J Physiother 2023; 69(1):23-34.
• Tran J, Tran R, White JR. Smartphone-based glucose monitors and applications in the management of diabetes: an overview of 10 salient “apps” and a novel smartphone connected blood glucose monitor. Clin Diabetes 2012; 30:173-178.
• Ventola CL. Mobile devices and apps for health care professionals: uses and benefits. P T 2014; 39(5):356-364.