Using Smartphone Tools to Enable Home-Measurement of the BASMI

Abstract

Axial Spondyloarthritis (AxSpa) is a form of arthritis affecting the lower back, causing pain, stiffness, and fatigue, among other symptoms. Regular measurement and treat-to-target approaches are key in managing this condition, but the primary means of measuring it, the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI), requires a physiotherapist to measure and is currently measured less frequently than required for many patients. In order to address this, we present a smartphone-based approach to enabling patient home measurement of the BASMI with the help of a family member, which we use to investigate patient experiences and needs of smartphone health interventions and the viability of home BASMI measurement. Firstly, we present the results of an online survey investigating patient attitudes towards the BASMI, self-management, and smartphone health technology. Secondly, we present the design, implementation, and validation of several smartphone-based approaches to taking the BASMI measurements, followed by a laboratory study comparing and investigating the accuracy and usability of these approaches to each other and to the gold standard BASMI measurement. Finally, we present a longitudinal in-situ study of the BASMI measurement app in the context of home measurement with AxSpa patients. The feature that AxSpa patients prioritise in an mHealth intervention is the flexibility and breadth of data collection as a result of the multi-faceted nature of the condition. We found that patients are optimistic about home BASMI measurement and are happy with the involvement of a family member, who were enthusiastic about greater involvement in their relatives’ self-management. We found that home BASMI measurement supported patient motivation and confidence in self-management and their ability to communicate around their condition. Based on these findings, we present a set of concrete design guidelines that will aid in the design of smartphone-based home measurement interventions, both for AxSpa and for other chronic conditions.

Date of Award	26 Jun 2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Bath
Supervisor	Christopher Clarke (Supervisor), Dario Cazzola (Supervisor) & Simon Jones (Supervisor)