Web-based touch-screen computer assessment of chronic low back pain: a pilot study

Area of Science:

• * Clinical research
• * Health informatics
• * Patient-reported outcomes

Background:

• * Chronic low back pain is a prevalent condition requiring effective data collection methods.
• * Traditional data collection may present challenges in clinical settings.
• * Digital health tools offer potential for improved patient data capture.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To assess the acceptability and feasibility of a web-based, touch-screen computer questionnaire.
• * To evaluate this method for collecting data from patients with chronic low back pain.
• * To identify factors influencing patient satisfaction with digital data collection.

Main Methods:

• * Patients with chronic low back pain completed validated questionnaires (Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Index, SF-36, Beck Depression Inventory) on a touch-screen computer.
• * Data collection time, computer experience, and perceptions of computer use were recorded.
• * Patient satisfaction was assessed using a paper-and-pencil survey.
• * Sitting and standing tolerances were observed.

Main Results:

• * The mean completion time for the questionnaire was 27.4 minutes (SD = 13.8).
• * Overall patient satisfaction with the touch-screen method was high.
• * Key factors influencing satisfaction included the computer environment, ease of use, security, and flexibility in posture changes.

Conclusions:

• * Web-based touch-screen questionnaires are an acceptable and feasible data collection method for chronic low back pain patients.
• * This technology supports efficient and satisfactory data gathering in tertiary spine clinics.
• * Further research utilizing touch-screen technology in this patient population is warranted.