Telerehabilitation for Lower Back Pain

(ARBOR-Th Trial)

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Kevin McLaughlin, D.P.T

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Johns Hopkins University

Disqualifiers: Recent lumbar surgery, Pregnancy, Serious pathology, Neurological disorder, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 8 weeks

434 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial examines the effectiveness of telerehabilitation for individuals with chronic lower back pain. It compares two approaches: online education about managing back pain and personalized physical therapy sessions via video calls, tailored to individual needs. The goal is to determine if digital physical therapy can improve access and outcomes for those who cannot easily attend in-person therapy, such as individuals in rural areas. Suitable participants have experienced moderate to severe back pain for more than three months and require regular internet access for video sessions. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative approaches in managing chronic pain through digital means.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It is best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that telerehabilitation is safe for patients with chronic lower back pain?

Research has shown that telerehabilitation for low back pain is generally safe. One study found that it can lead to better results with fewer visits, indicating that people handle the treatment well. Another study reported significant improvements in pain, disability, and physical function with telehealth physical therapy. These improvements suggest few negative side effects, as patients continued and benefited from the treatment.

Additionally, telerehabilitation has proven to be as effective as traditional in-person therapy for low back pain. This suggests its safety is likely similar to that of conventional therapy, which is already widely accepted and used.

In summary, research supports the safety and effectiveness of telerehabilitation for low back pain. It appears to be well-tolerated with few reported issues. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about telerehabilitation for lower back pain because it offers a personalized approach using video visits tailored to each patient's risk level. Unlike traditional in-person physical therapy, this method allows for flexible, remote access to care, which can be especially beneficial for those with mobility issues or busy schedules. Additionally, the use of the STarT Back Tool to stratify risk ensures that patients receive care matched to their specific needs, ranging from basic physical therapy to more advanced psychological-informed physical therapy. This innovation not only aims to enhance patient outcomes but also emphasizes a holistic approach to managing chronic lower back pain.

What evidence suggests that telerehabilitation is effective for lower back pain?

Research shows that telerehabilitation, one of the treatment options in this trial, can effectively treat chronic low back pain. Studies have found it reduces pain and improves daily activities, similar to traditional in-person physical therapy. One study noted that patients using telerehabilitation experienced less pain and a better quality of life. Another study highlighted its particular benefit for people in rural areas who may struggle to access in-person care. Overall, early evidence suggests that telerehabilitation is a promising and convenient option for managing chronic low back pain without losing effectiveness. Participants in this trial may receive telerehabilitation or join the standardized education group, which provides evidence-based education for self-managing symptoms. ^{2 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Richard Skolasky, ScD

Principal Investigator

Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for people with chronic lower back pain (LBP) who live in rural areas and have trouble accessing physical therapy due to provider availability, transportation issues, or work conflicts. Participants should be willing to engage in telerehabilitation.

Inclusion Criteria

Primary care visit in the past 90 days with an LBP-related ICD-10 diagnosis

Can speak and understand English

Access to video-enabled device and Internet

Exclusion Criteria

My lower back pain is caused by a serious health condition.

I had lumbar spine surgery in the last 6 months.

Knowingly pregnant

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive risk-informed telerehabilitation or educational control for 8 weeks

8 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in LBP-related disability and opioid use

12 weeks

Long-term Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in physical function and healthcare use

52 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Telerehabilitation

Trial Overview The study tests the effectiveness of telerehabilitation—a way to do physical therapy over the internet—against standard educational materials for managing chronic LBP. It will also see if matching patients with specific types of telehealth visits based on their psychological risk improves outcomes.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Telerehabilitation Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Based on prior STarT Back Tool (SBTS) screening risk stratification, participants in the risk-informed telerehabilitation group will receive subsequent care using an evidence-based treatment protocol designed for video visits to be informed by a participant's baseline risk score with elements ranging from standard physical therapy telehealth visits (low-to-medium risk) to psychological informed physical therapy (PIPT) telehealth visits (high-risk). The SBTS is a short questionnaire that assesses an individual's physical, psychosocial, and psychological risk factors for chronic back pain that can be improved with treatment.

Group II: Standardized Education Active Control 1 Intervention

Patients randomized to the standardized education group will receive registered access to a study website with access to evidence-based education for patients with chronic LBP. Each participant will have unique login credentials to allow for tracking of individual patient use. The website will include important education on the etiology of chronic LBP and evidence-based suggestions for self-management of symptoms. Education will focus on the importance of maintaining healthy levels of physical activity and avoiding bedrest. To promote increased physical activity levels, the website will also include pictures and videos of common exercises targeting the lumbopelvic region that patients can perform independently without the need for exercise equipment.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Johns Hopkins University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2,366

Recruited

15,160,000+

Tidalhealth, Inc.

Collaborator

Trials

2

Recruited

560+

Maryland Rural Health Association

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

430+

Medstar Health Research Institute

Collaborator

Trials

202

Recruited

187,000+

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)

Collaborator

Trials

508

Recruited

1,090,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A study involving 50 individuals with chronic low back pain showed that video-based telerehabilitation significantly improved pain, function, quality of life, and patient satisfaction after 8 weeks compared to conventional rehabilitation methods.

Participants using the telerehabilitation software reported greater motivation and adherence to their rehabilitation program, indicating that this approach may enhance the effectiveness of home exercise management for chronic low back pain.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of video exercise-based telerehabilitation on clinical outcomes, expectation, satisfaction, and motivation in patients with chronic low back pain. Özden, F., Sarı, Z., Karaman, ÖN., et al.[2022]

Telerehabilitation (TR) is an effective approach for managing low back pain (LBP), particularly in low and middle-income countries where access to healthcare may be limited.

TR offers significant benefits such as improved patient interaction, remote access to treatments, and timely monitoring, which can lead to early pain management and reduced healthcare costs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Virtually Administered Intervention Through Telerehabilitation for Chronic Non-specific Low Back Pain: A Review of Literature. Mehendale, P., Iyenagar, M., Bhatt, G., et al.[2023]

Telerehabilitation-based McKenzie therapy (TBMT) was found to be more cost-effective than clinic-based McKenzie therapy (CBMT) for treating nonspecific chronic low back pain (NCLBP), with lower costs per patient (22,200 naira vs. 38,200 naira) and slightly higher quality-adjusted life years (QALY) gained (0.085 vs. 0.084).

The study, involving 47 participants over 8 weeks, indicated that TBMT not only provided similar clinical benefits but also resulted in cost savings, suggesting it could be a viable alternative for managing NCLBP, especially for those with limited access to traditional healthcare.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Clinical and Cost-Effectiveness of Telerehabilitation for People With Nonspecific Chronic Low Back Pain: Randomized Controlled Trial. Fatoye, F., Gebrye, T., Fatoye, C., et al.[2023]

A telerehabilitation (TLRH) program delivered through a mobile app was found to be as effective as a traditional supervised clinical exercise program for improving pain and functional outcomes in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain, based on a study of 68 participants over 8 weeks.

Significant improvements were observed in the range of motion and pain intensity, particularly during specific movements, indicating that TLRH can be a viable alternative for managing low back pain.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Telerehabilitation for the treatment in chronic low back pain: A randomized controlled trial. Villatoro-Luque, FJ., Rodríguez-Almagro, D., Aibar-Almazán, A., et al.[2023]

A mobile-based telerehabilitation (TLRH) program was found to be as effective as traditional clinical exercise programs in improving disability, pain intensity, and hip strength in patients with non-specific low back pain (NLBP), based on a study involving 71 participants over 8 weeks.

Significant improvements were observed in hip strength and reductions in pain and pain catastrophizing, indicating that TLRH can be a viable alternative to in-person treatment for managing NLBP.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

In non-specific low back pain, is an exercise program carried out through telerehabilitation as effective as one carried out in a physiotherapy center? A controlled randomized trial. Villatoro-Luque, FJ., Rodríguez-Almagro, D., Aibar-Almazán, A., et al.[2023]

Physical therapists believe that web-based telerehabilitation can effectively treat chronic low back pain (CLBP) by allowing for greater patient engagement and follow-up, but success depends on patients actively participating in their treatment.

While new technologies can expand access to therapy and reduce healthcare costs, there are challenges in ensuring that exercise programs are tailored to individual patient preferences and that patients understand the correct techniques for long-term adherence.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physical Therapists' Opinion of E-Health Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain. Martínez de la Cal, J., Fernández-Sánchez, M., Matarán-Peñarrocha, GA., et al.[2021]

A randomized clinical trial with 56 patients showed that remote exercise instruction and in-person exercise instruction for low back pain resulted in similar improvements in pain and disability after 12 weeks.

Both methods involved core stability exercises, and the lack of significant differences (p = 0.93 for pain and p = 0.74 for disability) suggests that remote exercise programs can be as effective as in-person sessions for managing nonspecific low back pain.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Remote Versus in-Person Exercise Instruction for Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain Lasting 12 Weeks or Longer: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Dadarkhah, A., Rezaimoghadam, F., Najafi, S., et al.[2021]

Telerehabilitation-Based McKenzie Therapy (TBMT) is as effective as Clinic-Based McKenzie Therapy (CBMT) in managing chronic low-back pain, with significant improvements in pain intensity, muscle endurance, activity limitation, participation restriction, and general health status over an 8-week period involving 47 patients.

The TBMT group reported significantly higher vitality scores in general health status compared to the CBMT group, suggesting that the mobile app platform may enhance certain aspects of patient well-being while providing comparable clinical outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparative Efficacy of Clinic-Based and Telerehabilitation Application of Mckenzie Therapy in Chronic Low-Back Pain. Mbada, CE., Olaoye, MI., Dada, OO., et al.[2020]

Citations

1. pcori.org pcori.org/research-results/2024/comparing-effectiveness-telerehabilitation-and-clinic-physical-therapy-patients-chronic-low-back-pain

Comparing the Effectiveness of Telerehabilitation and In- ... PT is an effective and recommended first-line treatment for reducing pain and disability related to LBP; however, many individuals do not receive PT due to ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8670598/

Perceptions of Telehealth Physical Therapy Among Patients ... This study describes perceptions of telehealth physical therapy among patients with chronic low back pain (LBP).

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0003999322004178

Outcomes of Telehealth Physical Therapy Provided Using ... Outcomes of Telehealth Physical Therapy Provided Using Real-Time, Videoconferencing for Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain: A Longitudinal Observational Study.

4. hopkinsmedicine.org hopkinsmedicine.org/news/articles/2024/10/arbor-telehealth-study-advancing-rural-back-pain-outcomes-using-rehabilitation-telehealth

ARBOR Telehealth Study: Advancing Rural Back Pain ... The study will evaluate outcomes like pain reduction, disability, and quality of life over 12 months. The results will provide critical insights ...

5. jospt.org jospt.org/doi/10.2519/jospt.2025.13366

A Systematic Review With Network Meta-Analysis OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of different types of telerehabilitation in managing chronic musculoskeletal pain.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9383506/

Is Telerehabilitation a Viable Option for People With Low Back ... A positive association between TR and rehabilitation outcomes was observed, with a trend for better FS outcomes and fewer visits when all care was delivered ...

7. bmcmusculoskeletdisord.biomedcentral.com bmcmusculoskeletdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12891-024-07952-7

Exercise-based telerehabilitation in chronic low back pain The aim of this study was to map how telerehabilitation approaches are used in studies evaluating exercise-based rehabilitation in patients with chronic low ...

8. mhealth.jmir.org mhealth.jmir.org/2024/1/e56580

The Physical and Psychological Effects of Telerehabilitation ... Telerehabilitation interventions demonstrate comparable therapeutic efficacy for individuals with NLBP when compared to conventional outpatient-based physical ...

9. physio-pedia.com physio-pedia.com/Telehealth_for_Low_Back_Pain

Telehealth for Low Back Pain Telehealth has been shown to significantly improve patients quality of life, particularly patients with chronic low back pain. Telehealth may be detrimental to ...