Randomized-controlled trial assessing a digital care program versus conventional physiotherapy for chronic low back...

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Digital Health
• Musculoskeletal Disorders

Background:

• Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a leading cause of disability worldwide.
• Digital exercise interventions offer accessible and cost-effective management for musculoskeletal conditions.
• Comparative effectiveness of digital versus in-person physiotherapy for CLBP requires further evidence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare clinical outcomes of CLBP patients using a digital intervention against in-person physiotherapy.
• To evaluate patient satisfaction, adherence, and dropout rates between digital and conventional physiotherapy groups.
• To assess the impact on disability, pain, anxiety, depression, and productivity.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing digital intervention with evidence-based in-person physiotherapy for CLBP.
• Primary outcome: change in disability scores from baseline.
• Secondary outcomes: pain intensity, anxiety, depression, productivity impairment, satisfaction, adherence, and dropout rates.

Main Results:

• Both groups showed significant improvements in disability, with no between-group differences.
• Patient satisfaction and adherence were high and comparable across both groups.
• The digital intervention group had a significantly lower dropout rate (15.7%) compared to the in-person group (34.3%).

Conclusions:

• Remote digital interventions for CLBP yield comparable recovery outcomes to in-person physiotherapy.
• Digital interventions present a promising, potentially more sustainable, approach to managing CLBP.
• The findings support digital health solutions for improving access and reducing the burden of chronic low back pain.