The Effects of Online-Based Interventions for Chronic Low Back Pain Patients: A Clinical Trial

ABSTRACT

Objective@#Chronic low back pain (LBP) is a huge social burden, and optimal exercise therapies for chronic LBP patients are continuously being studied. To evaluate the effects of digital intervention on pain and disability in patients with chronic LBP, we performed a prospective cohort study. Method: From February 2020 to January 2021, 25 patients with chronic LBP were recruited. Digital intervention contains education contents and video demonstration for individually prescribed exercise. The exercise prescription was renewed every 4 weeks according to subjects’ condition and accomplishment of exercise. This intervention was performed for more than 30 weeks. The pain intensity was assessed using a numeric rating scale (NRS) while their degree of disability was assessed using the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ). The pain intensity and disability was evaluated at short term (8∼20 weeks) and long term (30 weeks). @*Results@#As a result, pain intensity (NRS) decreased significantly over the short term and long term (p<0.05). However, pain related disability (RMDQ score) did not change significantly over the follow-up period (p=0.554). @*Conclusion@#Our findings indicate that online-based digital intervention reduced the intensity of chronic LBP. Further research is needed to identify methods to cost-effectively and consistently manage chronic LBP.