Physitrack: The Ultimate App for Home Exercise and Physiotherapy

Some time ago, we presented you with a comprehensive list of the best apps for exercising at home, applications that help you stay in shape without having to go to the gym or pay a monthly fee.

The problem is that few of these apps are specialized or recommended by medical services (I have already been scolded twice in the consultation for this issue), which is why the study I accessed today caught my attention.

Patient Perspectives on Using a Smartphone App to Support Home-Based Exercise During Physical Therapy Treatment: Qualitative Study

Physiotherapy is a discipline that helps improve the health and well-being of people suffering from pain or musculoskeletal problems. However, for the treatment to be effective, it is necessary that patients perform exercises at home following the recommendations of their physical therapist. What happens if they forget how to do them, or if they have no motivation to stick to their exercise program?

The proposed solution is Physitrack.

What is Physitrack?

Physitrack is an application that allows physical therapists to create and share personalized exercise programs with their patients via their mobile phone, email, or paper. The app allows patients to set reminders to perform their exercises, record their adherence, rate their pain during exercises, and send direct messages to their physical therapists. In this way, patients can have closer and more constant monitoring of their treatment, and physical therapists can adjust and personalize the exercise program based on the results and feedback from the patients.

What benefits does Physitrack have?

A qualitative study conducted in the Netherlands interviewed nine patients with non-specific low back pain who used Physitrack during their physiotherapy treatment. The goal was to understand patients’ perspectives on the acceptability, satisfaction, and performance of the app. The results showed that patients were willing to accept the app as part of their treatment when it was easy to use, when it benefited them, and when the physical therapist instructed them in its use. Satisfaction with the app was determined by the perceived support of the app when doing the exercises at home and increased adherence. The most important features for performance during treatment were video and text instructions, reminder functions, and self-monitoring. Patients did not see the app as a substitute for the physical therapist and relied on their therapist for instructions and support when needed.

Statistical Data

• Effectiveness of the Physitrack app to support exercise at home: The study compared the adherence to home exercise of two groups of patients with non-specific low back pain, one who used the Physitrack app and another who received printed leaflets. The results showed that the group that used the app had an average adherence of 93.5%, while the group that received leaflets had an average adherence of 21.4%.
• Patient satisfaction with the Physitrack app: The study conducted qualitative interviews with 9 patients who used the Physitrack app as part of their treatment. Patients expressed high satisfaction with the app, especially with the reminders, video and text instructions, and self-monitoring features. Patients also valued the physiotherapist’s support and the quality of the exercise positively.
• Usability of the Physitrack app: The study evaluated the usability of the Physitrack app using the System Usability Scale (SUS), which measures ease of use, efficiency, and user satisfaction. The mean score of the patients on the SUS was 86.1, which indicates high usability of the app.

Who is Physitrack useful for?

Physitrack can be useful for anyone who needs to do exercises at home as part of their physiotherapy treatment. It is especially useful for people who have difficulty remembering or performing exercises correctly, who need positive reinforcement and constant reminders, or who want to have greater control and tracking of their progress. Physitrack can also be useful for physiotherapists who want to offer a more personalized and effective service to their patients, taking advantage of the advantages of mobile technology.

To use Physitrack, the patient must have a smartphone and download the app from Android or iOS. The physiotherapist must create an account on the Physitrack web platform and select the appropriate exercises for the patient from an extensive library. The physical therapist must send the exercise program to the patient via code, email, or paper. The patient must enter the code into the app or scan the QR code to access her exercise program. The patient must follow the app and physical therapist’s instructions to perform the exercises, record their adherence and pain, and contact their therapist if they have any questions or problems.

It is not something that we can use at home without the collaboration of the physiotherapist, so if you are looking for something DIY, it is not the right place.

Conclusion

Physitrack is a valuable tool for both patients and physiotherapists, enhancing the effectiveness and convenience of home-based exercise programs. Its user-friendly interface, combined with features like reminders and self-monitoring, make it a key companion in physiotherapy treatments.

FAQs

Is Physitrack suitable for all types of physiotherapy exercises?

Physitrack is versatile and can be used for a wide range of physiotherapy exercises, but its effectiveness may vary depending on the specific requirements of the exercise program.

Can I use Physitrack without the guidance of a physiotherapist?

Physitrack is designed to be used under the supervision of a physiotherapist. It is not recommended to use it without proper guidance and instruction.

How can I download Physitrack?

Physitrack can be downloaded from the Google Play Store for Android devices and the App Store for iOS devices.

Is Physitrack free to use?

Physitrack offers a free trial period, but a subscription is required for continued use. Pricing may vary depending on the region.

Can I use Physitrack on multiple devices?

Yes, Physitrack can be used on multiple devices, but each device must be registered with a valid account.