Personalized Back Rx Exercise Delivered Through Web-Based Application for Treating Discogenic Axial Low Back Pain

Overview

The prevalence and disability associated with discogenic low back pain (LBP) are significant and there is a general lack of widely accepted conservative treatments for the condition. Our study investigated the role that Limbr, a mobile health intervention can play in patient’s self-management of LBP. The goal of the pilot study was to evaluate exercise compliance using a coach as well as pain relief and evaluate YADL back pain as an outcome measure. Compliance was measured by analyzing frequency of interaction with Limbr apps, and rehabilitation outcome was measured based on the Oswestry Low Back Pain Questionnaire (ODI Index) which quantifies pain and disability level. There were 87 eligible patients with chronic axial discogenic LBP. 11 patients were lost to follow-up and 12 dropped out due to technical errors. 25 patients used the app, but their pain resolved between 6-10 weeks, so they did not continue to use the app. 39 patients with 3 month follow-up were included in final analysis. Overall compliance with the app was greater than 50%. Average pain on VAS was 8 compared to 4 at final follow-up. Average baseline ODI was 19.8 compared to 18.53 at final follow-up. Average YADL was 33.5 compared to 24.5 at final follow-up. Correlation between YADL and ODI using full assessment YADL and baseline ODI scores (R2 = 0.2542, P = 0.0062). Analysis demonstrates that YADL is a statistically significant predictor of ODI score – for every one unit increase in YADL, the ODI score increases by 0.25 units. Combining home exercises like Back Rx with modern technology apps like Limbr has big potential in increasing compliance and reducing recurrence of back pain as well as high costs associated treatment and time off work.

Competition history

• AJAS 2018 Category not listed

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