Randomized controlled trial compares m-health delivery to booklet-based programs for chronic low back pain, suggesting potential benefits for health-related quality of life.
To compare the effectiveness of a mobile health (m-Health) application versus the booklet-based modality for delivering a self-managed home exercise program (HEP) in terms of pain, health-related quality of life (HRQL), and biopsychosocial outcomes in people with chronic low back pain (CLBP) in outpatient settings. A single-blinded randomised controlled trial involving 99 adults (≥18 years) with CLBP. Participants in the intervention group (IG) performed an HEP via m-Health (PainReApp), while the control group (CG) received the same booklet-based HEP. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, pain-related, HRQL, and biopsychosocial outcomes were measured at baseline, 3 (T1), and 6-months (T2). Within-group improvements (p < 0.05) were statistically significant for body mass index and physical functioning tests (T1,T2) in the IG, and for physical functioning tests (T1,T2), physical component of HRQL and sleep quality (T1) in the CG. A significant between-group difference was observed for 30-s arm curl (p = 0.038) at T1, favouring the IG. The evolution of the effect did not differ significantly for any of the outcomes. Self-managed HEP could slightly improve anthropometric, physical functioning, HRQL, and sleep quality in both groups of people with CLBP. Nevertheless, there were not consistent differences between m-Health and booklet-based modalities for delivering a HEP.Trial registrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12621000783820).
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Moreno-Ligero et al. (2025) studied this question.
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