In modern times with the fast life and time constraints, there is an increase in adoption of digital health solutions.Telerehabilitation allows for real-time feedback and remote guidance to the patients which saves time to frequently visit the Physiotherapist.The primary aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of telerehabilitation and booklet-based home exercise program for chronic low back pain.The study explores the effects of these two options on pain and function in chronic LBP.
Patients diagnosed with non-radiating low back pain with age group of 18-70 years with pain more than 3 months (>12 weeks) with VAS score >3 and 7 were included in the study.They were randomly allocated into 2 groups.Group A received exercises through Telerehabilitation via video-conferencing and participants of Group B were advised to follow the booklet for exercises.Participants of both the groups were advised to take hotpack prior to the exercise regime. This was followed for 12 treatment sessions for 6 days a week.Pain was assessed with Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score and function with Modified Oswestry Disability Index (MODI)
Statistical significant difference was found in VAS and MODI in both the groups after intervention (p0.05) at 95% confidence interval. The intergroup comparison for pain (VAS, p = 0.478) and function (MODI, p = 0.296) was found statistically not significant.The effect size calculation between the groups showed small effect size for pain with d=0.32 and function with d=0.48,
The present study concluded that both,exercise through Telerehabilitation via video conferencing and exercise based booklet are effective in reducing pain and improving functions in patients with chronic low back pain. However, when compared with each other no significant difference was found in reducing pain and improving function. These results suggest that Telerehabilitation and exercise based booklet are clinically effective for low back pain patients.
In future these methods of patient care can be compared with face to face treatment programs. There is also a need to evaluate efficacy of tele-assessment as a future study. Future studies can also explore patient satisfaction and adherence levels with such treatment options.
Telerehabilitation can be explored as a part of patient care as it could prove to be more personalised, cost-effective and accessible option.This will ultimately improve patient care and resource allocation in healthcare settings.
Exercise booklet
Chronic low back pain
