Home-based rehabilitation training with human key point detection for chronic low back pain patients: a randomized controlled trial protocol

Zheng Fuming; Li Zhicheng; Huang Huanjie; Zhang Xinna; Chen Rong; Peng Jiahui; Yang Liming; Chen Xi; Wang Chuhuai

doi:10.1186/s13063-023-07805-z

Home-based rehabilitation training with human key point detection for chronic low back pain patients: a randomized controlled trial protocol

Trials. 2023 Nov 27;24(1):760. doi: 10.1186/s13063-023-07805-z.

Authors

Zheng Fuming^#¹, Li Zhicheng^#¹, Huang Huanjie¹, Zhang Xinna², Chen Rong¹, Peng Jiahui¹, Yang Liming², Chen Xi³, Wang Chuhuai⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
² Yinshan Future Health Technology Co., Ltd, Beijing, 100080, China.
³ Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China. chenxi8@mail.sysu.edu.cn.
⁴ Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China. wangchuh@mail.sysu.edu.cn.

^# Contributed equally.

Abstract

Background: Core stability exercise (CSE) is a globally acknowledged intervention for managing chronic low back pain. However, the sustained adherence of patients with chronic low back pain to CSE can be challenging, mainly due to the absence of supervision and guidance from physical therapists during home-based exercise sessions. Consequently, exercise compliance tends to decline, resulting in suboptimal long-term effectiveness of the intervention. In this trial, our primary aim is to evaluate the potential therapeutic equivalence between home-based rehabilitation training employing key point identification technology and exercise guidance administered in a hospital setting.

Methods: In this trial, we will randomly assign 104 adults with chronic low back pain (CLBP) to either an intervention or control group, with 52 participants in each group. Both interventions will consist of three weekly 0.5-h sessions of core stability exercise (CSE). The intervention group will engage in home rehabilitation training utilizing key identification technology for movement, while the control group will perform supervised exercises in a hospital setting. Outcome assessments will be conducted at 4 weeks and 16 weeks after randomization. The primary outcome measure will be the change in pain intensity based on numeric rating scale (NRS scores) from baseline to 4 weeks. Secondary outcomes will include changes in physical function (measured by the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)) and lumbar spine mobility as well as activity participation and treatment satisfaction.

Discussion: If home-based rehabilitation method is demonstrated to be non-inferior or even superior to traditional face-to-face exercise guidance, it could significantly advance the adoption of digital medical care and contribute to improving the overall health of the population.

Trial registration: NCT05998434 . Registered on 16 August 2023.

Keywords: Core stability exercise; Human key point detection; Mobile health; Non-specific chronic low back pain.

Publication types

Clinical Trial Protocol

MeSH terms

Adult
Chronic Pain* / diagnosis
Chronic Pain* / therapy
Exercise Therapy / methods
Humans
Low Back Pain* / diagnosis
Low Back Pain* / therapy
Lumbar Vertebrae
Outcome Assessment, Health Care
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Treatment Outcome

Associated data

ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT05998434

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Associated data

Grants and funding