Research and Development of Content to Support Homecare Tracker Software Applications for Massage Therapy

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Performing prescribed homecare activities and exercises between visits to Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs) is an essential part of the healing and recovery process. However, many patients fail to comply with their homecare activities due to a number of reasons: not remembering assigned activities, not doing the recommended number of repetitions and time duration for exercises, a lack of motivation and frustration following confusing written instructions from their RMT. To address these challenges, Kelowna Medical Massage (KMM) engaged with Okanagan College (OC) in 2018 to develop a prototype software application to help support, monitor and track clients who are prescribed homecare activities. This applied research project included development, testing and evaluation of desktop and mobile software apps providing homecare activities for a small number of musculoskeletal conditions: frozen shoulder, plantar fasciitis and tension headaches with neck pain. The desktop app supported RMTs by providing a selection of appropriate homecare activities for patients with the above musculoskeletal conditions. The mobile app supported patients by providing them with access to scheduled homecare activity reminders, video instructions for activities, tips to enhance recovery and the ability to provide feedback on prescribed activities to their RMT. Prototype testing with RMTs and clients revealed that 90% would recommend the use of these apps to others. Based on these positive outcomes, KMM seeks to again engage with OC to further develop, expand and refine the apps. The scientific and technical objectives of this project are to build on the success of the initial apps by researching and identifying additional musculoskeletal conditions and homecare activities, including instructional videos, relevant to massage therapy practice. Benefits to KMM include the ability to more effectively engage with clients using the latest technological means to help improve and maintain their health and wellness. This innovation will provide KMM with a competitive advantage in the massage therapy industry by being the first clinic to provide this type of online massage therapy-specific, homecare tracking service for clients.