Artificial intelligence-guided therapy: Clinic versus home users. Long-term differences in patient-reported outcomes in patients with low back pain

Low back pain (LBP) is a common cause of disability in the United States and contributes to a great economic burden on both the individual and healthcare system level. Previous studies have investigated home-based therapy as an alternative or supplement to clinical care. In a previous study, we found comparable positive outcomes in patients who use an artificial-intelligence (AI) device to manage LBP in both home and clinical settings. In this study, we plan to compare long-term outcomes throughout 1-year post-intervention. This is a randomized clinical trial of 52 subjects. The investigation compared outcomes in LBP patients who used AI-device resistance therapy in either clinical or home settings. Outcomes of interest were pain, functional status, and kinesiophobia. Group (Home vs. Clinic) was significantly associated with all three PRO parameters (PROMIS PI, PROMIS PF, and TSK scores) ( P < 0.007). Home subjects, on average, had lower PROMIS PI and TSK scores ( P < 0.007) and higher PROMIS PF scores ( P < 0.0001); however, these differences were clinically insignificant. Time and the interaction of Time∗Group were not significant factors that affected PRO scores (P > 0.66). Patients who used AI-resistance training in either home or clinical settings had similar improvement by the end of the intervention and maintained this similarity throughout 1 year of follow-up. AI-resistance training has the potential to be a cost-effective supplement to clinical therapy when managing LBP. 20-007281.