Curable App Supports Chronic Low Back Pain Self-Management

Researchers from the University of the Highlands and Islands and Northumbria University conducted a realist evaluation (JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2026) using telephone interviews with nine participants who used the Curable app for three months to self-manage chronic low back pain. They constructed 20 context-mechanism-outcome configurations supporting three program theories—empowerment, self-management burden, and timing—and found success depends on personalization, timing, and relational trust. The study recommends apps supplement, not replace, clinical support.