Software-based interventions for low back pain management: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Area of Science:

• Digital health interventions
• Rehabilitation medicine
• Evidence-based practice

Background:

• Low back pain (LBP) is a prevalent condition with significant impact on quality of life.
• Software-based interventions offer a scalable approach for LBP self-management.
• Limited research exists on the effectiveness and components of these digital interventions.

Approach:

• A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted.
• Searched four databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science) up to July 2022.
• Included 23 studies involving 4908 adults with LBP.

Key Points:

• Software interventions significantly reduced fear avoidance, pain catastrophizing, disability, and pain intensity.
• Interventions incorporating exercise were more effective for pain and disability reduction.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) components effectively reduced fear avoidance and pain catastrophizing.

Conclusions:

• Software-based self-management interventions are effective for improving LBP outcomes.
• Exercise and CBT components enhance the efficacy of digital LBP interventions.
• Further research is needed to optimize digital intervention design and outcome measurement.