Riassunto dello studio

Two hundred seventy (n=270) patients with back pain were randomized to receive either a hybrid, digitally assisted, multimodal rehabilitation program incorporating a digital back school (intervention group, n=127) or the same rehabilitation program with a face-to-face back school (control group, n=143). The primary outcome of interest was self-reported pain self-efficacy (10-60 points). Secondary outcomes included general health status, pain levels, functional capacity, mental health, work ability, and cognitive and behavioral pain management strategies. Outcomes were assessed at the end of the rehabilitation program and again at a 3-month follow-up. Overall, the results of the study revealed that the hybrid rehabilitation program was non-inferior to the conventional face-to-face rehabilitation in terms of pain self-efficacy both at the end of the program and at 3 months. Secondary outcomes showed no significant differences between groups, except for better counter-activity engagement in the hybrid group at 3 months. These findings suggest that hybrid telerehabilitation can be an effective alternative to traditional face-to-face rehabilitation for patients with back pain.