OBJECTIVES: Poor adherence to home exercise programs (HEPs) is a significant barrier to continuity of care and eventual outcomes, thus requiring innovative mitigating approaches. This study aimed to develop and test the feasibility of a remote support application (RSA) designed to encourage adherence to HEPs. METHODS: Using standard computer programing, an RSA with administrator and user interfaces was developed for mobile phone or tablet. Consenting patients receiving physiotherapy for musculoskeletal conditions (n = 19) were randomly assigned into the experimental group (n = 10) or the control group (n = 9). The experimental group received their customized HEP reminders via the RSA, whereas the control group used conventional paper handouts for HEPs. Adherence to HEPs was assessed over 4 weeks. The feasibility of the RSA was assessed using the Mobile Application Rating Scale and System Usability Scale (SUS) questionnaires. Data were summarized using descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS: The adherence rate of patients in experimental group was significantly higher than that of patients in the control group after 2 weeks (median diff -6.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) -8.0 to -5.0; U = 5.00; Z = -3.304; p = 0.001; r = 0.75) and 4 weeks (median diff -7.0, 95% CI -8.0 to -5.0; U = 0; Z = -3.695; p < 0.001; r= 0.84) of intervention. The RSA had a mean SUS score of 82.53 +/- 9.04 (out of 100) and a mean app quality rating score of 75.95 +/- 4.98 (out of 95). CONCLUSIONS: The use of an RSA to improve adherence to HEPs is feasible for patients with musculoskeletal conditions.

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