Low back pain affects many people in the UK, restricting their daily activities and accounting for 5% of GP appointments.

The getUBetter app is already used by the NHS to support people with low back pain. Typically, patients are directed to the app by their doctor, GP practice staff, or physiotherapist. A simple registration process connects them to guidance and support throughout their recovery journey, providing them with advice about symptoms, information about what to expect, relevant exercises, goal-setting tools, and referral to local treatments and services.

The project aims to assess if using getUBetter improves pain, and the patients' ability to engage with daily activities, reduces the need for further care, and whether it offers the NHS good value for money.

The research teams will be gathering real-world evidence for their products. This will help to accelerate adoption of these technologies, which have been recommended for early use in the NHS through NICE Early Value Assessment.

The project is one of seven newly-funded research projects by the NIHR aimed at bringing new technologies into the NHS to benefit patients.