Development of a Blended Physiotherapeutic Module for Young Adults with Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain: A Feasibility Study

Abstract

Introduction: Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain (NSCLBP) is a prevalent non-communicable disease in India, burdening individuals psychologically and socially. Due to economic constraints, people prefer self-management rather than seeking professional advice. Therefore, their go-to search strategy for self-management is social media platforms. Many researchers have identified a lack of evidence in these social media videos. Aim: To develop and evaluate the feasibility of a blended physiotherapeutic module for young adults with NSCLBP. Materials and Methods: This feasibility study was conducted at Nitte Institute of Physiotherapy, NITTE (Deemed to be University), Deralakatte, Mangaluru, Karnataka, India from July 2023 to December 2023. This study involved three phases: identifying modifiable risk factors for exercise adherence in individuals with NSCLBP, developing a module, and evaluating its feasibility. Twenty-four young individuals with low back pain were given the blended physiotherapeutic module for four weeks, consisting of three sessions per week. The first two sessions were conducted online, and the following session was face-to-face. The data were analysed using SPSS software (SPSS Inc.; Chicago, IL) version 29.0.10. The collected data were summarised using Descriptive Statistics: frequency, percentage; mean, and Standard Deviation (SD). To compare the Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale (QBPDS) and Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) scores, repeated measures ANOVA was employed. The Bonferroni test was utilised for pairwise comparisons of QBPDS and NPRS scores. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: In this study, the average percentage of individuals who performed exercises for four weeks was 22 (91.7%), indicating high adherence. There was a significant difference (p-value < 0.05) in the QBPDS as well as the NPRS from baseline to weeks -2, 3, and 4. Conclusion: The developed blended physiotherapeutic module for NSCLBP individuals was found to be feasible. Positive results were identified in reducing pain and disability after two weeks. This study aids individuals struggling with physiotherapy exercises in a digitalised society, suggesting that future research could incorporate real-time movement analysis and regional language databases and software that should be validated.

Keywords

• adherence
• digital health
• exercise training
• telerehabilitation
• physiotherapy