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

The objective of this study was to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of a Web-based touch-screen computer questionnaire as a data collection method for patients experiencing chronic low back pain in a tertiary spine clinic. Participants completed the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Index, SF-36, and Beck Depression Inventory using a touch-screen computer. The time taken to complete the questionnaire was recorded electronically (M = 27.4 minutes; SD = 13.8). Prior computer experience and perceptions of computer use were also assessed. Low back pain was evaluated before and after completing the touch-screen computer questionnaire. Observations of sitting and standing tolerances were made. Participants completed a nine-item paper-and-pencil satisfaction survey after completing the computer questionnaire. Overall satisfaction level with this mode of data collection was high, supporting a larger study using touch-screen technology in patients with chronic low back pain. Important factors influencing satisfaction were the computer environment, ease of use, security, and the ability to interrupt the questionnaire process to allow for changes in sitting or standing posture.