Efficacy of a virtually administered physiotherapy program in chronic non specific low back pain A single blinded randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Chronic non-specific low back pain (CNLBP) is as low back pain (LBP) that is experienced between the costal margins and inferior gluteal folds, that has lasted for more than 12 weeks and with no known or definite cause. This is commonly encountered and treated by majority of physiotherapists in their clinical practice. Conventionally, clinical management of LBP relies on face-to-face interactions between the health-care provider and the patient. However, at times, this approach is not affordable or accessible to a large number of individuals, particularly those living in remote locations. Given the increase in use of technologies to enhance health services, telehealth has emerged as a potential alternative to deliver interventions for LBP. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to compare the effects of both virtually and conventionally (in-person) administered physical therapy program in terms of pain, range of motion, disability, and quality of life in patients with CNLBP. An experimental, analytical, randomized control trial, single blinded, multicentre study was carried out for a duration of 36 months, (July 2021-July 2024 - K J Somaiya College of Physiotherapy and Treatment Centre, Medico Surgical Clinic). Based on the selection criteria, a total of 98 patients were included and were divided into two groups: Group A consisting of patients in which physical therapy program was delivered virtually and Group B in which conventional (in-person physical therapy program was delivered. The outcome measures assessed consisted of numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) for pain, modified modified Schober s test (MMST) for ROM, Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire 24 (RMDQ-24) for disability, quality of life using World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version (WHO QOL BREF), kinesiophobia using Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK-11), and patient satisfaction using Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire-18 (PSQ-18).