Effect of telemedicine-supported structured exercise program in patients with chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial

An open label, randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted over eight weekly sessions. Participants with CLBP were randomly assigned to either the Experimental Group (EG) or the Control Group (CG) in a 1:1 ratio, using a randomized numeric table. The EG will receive an intervention consisting of patient education, health coaching, and structured exercise program delivered through mobile health (mHealth) apps. The CG will receive usual care therapy, including patient education and paper handouts describing home exercises. The primary outcome measure was disability, assessed via the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ). Secondary outcomes included pain intensity, mental health status, quality of life, walking ability, and exercise adherence. These were evaluated using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale (DASS21), 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), Time Up and Go (TUG), and Exercise Adherence Rating Scale (EARS), respectively. Linear mixed-effects model analysis was conducted at baseline, after 4 weeks (during treatment), and after 8 weeks (post-treatment), adhering to the principles of intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis. Data are available as Excel files.