1.2.1 Background: Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions affect 18.8 million people in the UK , accounting for 30% of all GP appointments with combined cost to the NHS of £5bn per year. It is a highly prevalent and growing umbrella of pain, mobility, function, and inflammatory disorders that account for 40% of all sick leave. Older adults experience almost 2/3rd of MSK prevalence and BAME groups experience high prevalence of certain MSKDs with access inequalities in MSK care and poorer outcomes (Versus Arthritis, 2019). Suffering from a chronic MSK condition is associated with decreased functional capacity, reduction in physical activity and mobility which ultimately results in high costs to health services. In the current climate, the effect of social isolation and redirecting of health care services may prove to expedite the effect of an MSK condition on functional capacity.~There is a large body of evidence for the use of physical activity demonstrates the effectiveness of exercise to treat, manage and prevent MSK conditions. Exercise is one of the primary tools utilised by Physiotherapists throughout the nation and the 'State of Musculoskeletal Health 2019' published by Versus Arthritis cites physical inactivity as a core contributor in growing MSK prevalence and the benefits of exercise for MSK conditions. Access to Physiotherapy services, either due to waiting times , high cost of private care or the non-proximity or remote access to services like Escape Pain are barriers for people living with MSK conditions. Additionally, the primary barrier to anyone living with an MSK condition to being active is pain. As a result, the use of mobile applications to deliver exercise programmes has increased, however, there is a lack of provision for the population of people with MSK problems. Research evidence demonstrates that exercise is highly effective in supporting people living with a joint or pain condition to reduce pain, improve mobility and improve the overall quality of life. However, in the current effect of Covid-19, many people with MSK problems no longer have access to physiotherapy as well as social isolation limiting the opportunities to engage in meaningful physical activity. Trusted by clinicians and patients, MSK charities are the foremost support service to deliver care closer to home, aligning with the NHS strategy.~This project will co-design a solution that is accessible and inclusive by combining cutting-edge technology and MSK charities' networks and expertise, to deliver virtual community MSK rehab, providing an innovative and cost-effective solution to the significant UK and global health challenge. Already overburdened, NHS MSK services are even more pressured due to COVID-19. The project will develop and validate a commercially scalable rehab solution to reduce this pressure. The solution empowers MSK charities to deliver rehab services to beneficiaries through existing, leading-edge AI-powered physiotherapy software. This not only plugs the gap left by long Physiotherapy waiting lists but serves to improve upon existing services by increasing reach and engagement through its community and peer-support aspects. Insight from MSK charities has demonstrated the need for emotional, peer-led and practical rehab solutions that encourage and support patients. The project will be game-changing in driving improved health outcomes for patients and reducing NHS burden and costs.~1.2.2 Aim: This research project aims to complete product testing, co-production, and research to achieve regulatory approval for public rollout and commercialisation to create a publicly accessible product which will address clinical rehab needs for MSKDs and reduce health inequality. The project will determine the usability, acceptability, and feasibility for use of the developed App.~1.2.3 Objectives: There are two objectives in this study. First one is the usability of the app and second one is the app feasibility~Usability: To discover the barriers and facilitators and potential of using and adopting virtual group digital technology in the management of MSK condition.~Feasibility: to determine the safety, usability and potential benefit of the app
Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions affect 18.8 million people in the UK , accounting for 30% of all GP appointments with combined cost to the NHS of £5bn per year.. It is a highly prevalent and growing umbrella of pain, mobility, function, and inflammatory disorders that account for 40% of all sick leave. Older adults experience almost 2/3rd of MSK prevalence and BAME groups experience high prevalence of certain MSKDs with access inequalities in MSK care and poorer outcomes (Versus Arthritis, 2019). Suffering from a chronic MSK condition is associated with decreased functional capacity, reduction in physical activity and mobility which ultimately results in high costs to health services. In the current climate, the effect of social isolation and redirecting of health care services may prove to expedite the effect of an MSK condition on functional capacity.~There is a large body of evidence for the use of physical activity demonstrates the effectiveness of exercise to treat, manage and prevent MSK conditions . Exercise is one of the primary tools utilised by Physiotherapists throughout the nation and the 'State of Musculoskeletal Health 2019' published by Versus Arthritis cites physical inactivity as a core contributor in growing MSK prevalence and the benefits of exercise for MSK conditions . Access to Physiotherapy services, either due to waiting times, high cost of private care or the non-proximity or remote access to services like Escape Pain are barriers for people living with MSK conditions. Additionally, the primary barrier to anyone living with an MSK condition to being active is pain . As a result, the use of mobile applications to deliver exercise programmes has increased, however, there is a lack of provision for the population of people with MSK problems. Research evidence demonstrates that exercise is highly effective in supporting people living with a joint or pain condition to reduce pain, improve mobility and improve the overall quality of life. However, in the current effect of Covid-19, many people with MSK problems no longer have access to physiotherapy as well as social isolation limiting the opportunities to engage in meaningful physical activity. Trusted by clinicians and patients, MSK charities are the foremost support service to deliver care closer to home, aligning with the NHS strategy.~This project will co-design a solution that is accessible and inclusive by combining cutting-edge technology and MSK charities' networks and expertise, to deliver virtual community MSK rehab, providing an innovative and cost-effective solution to the significant UK and global health challenge. Already overburdened, NHS MSK services are even more pressured due to COVID-19. The project will develop and validate a commercially scalable rehab solution to reduce this pressure. The solution empowers MSK charities to deliver rehab services to beneficiaries through existing, leading-edge AI-powered physiotherapy software. This not only plugs the gap left by long Physiotherapy waiting lists but serves to improve upon existing services by increasing reach and engagement through its community and peer-support aspects. Insight from MSK charities has demonstrated the need for emotional, peer-led and practical rehab solutions that encourage and support patients. The project will be game-changing in driving improved health outcomes for patients and reducing NHS burden and costs.