Affiliation:
1. College of Nursing Gachon University Incheon South Korea
2. College of Nursing Chonnam National University Gwangju South Korea
3. College of Nursing Korea University Seoul South Korea
4. School of Nursing University of Connecticut Storrs Connecticut USA
5. School of Nursing University of Maryland Baltimore Maryland USA
6. College of Nursing University of Florida Gainesville Florida USA
7. Nursing Research Institute Korea University Seoul South Korea
8. BK21 FOUR R&E Center for Learning Health Systems Korea University Seoul South Korea
Abstract
AbstractIntroductionUsing software for self‐management interventions can improve health outcomes for individuals with low back pain, but there is a dearth of research to confirm its effectiveness. Additionally, no known research has evaluated the effective elements of software‐based interventions for low back pain self‐management components. This study aimed to synthesize the effectiveness of software‐based interventions to promote self‐management health outcomes among individuals with low back pain.DesignA systematic review and meta‐analysis was conducted.MethodsFollowing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses Statement, relevant studies up to July 2022 were searched via four electronic databases: PubMed, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Web of Science.Results4908 adults with low back pain who participated in 23 studies were included. Software‐based interventions were effective in reducing fear avoidance (mean difference [MD] = −0.95, 95% CI: −1.45 to −0.44), pain catastrophizing (MD = −1.31, 95% CI: −1.84 to −0.78), disability (MD = −8.21, 95% CI: −13.02 to −3.39), and pain intensity (MD = −0.86, 95% CI: −1.17 to −0.55). Specifically, interventions that included an exercise component were more effective in reducing pain and disability. Additionally, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention significantly reduced fear avoidance and pain catastrophizing but had no noticeable impact on disability and pain compared to standard treatment. The certainty of the evidence in this review varied from very low to high across outcomes. The heterogeneity of the study results was significant, suggesting that future studies in this area could optimize the design, time points, measures, and outcomes to strengthen the evidence.ConclusionsLow back pain self‐management interventions delivered through software‐based programs effectively reduce pain intensity, disability, fear avoidance, and pain catastrophizing.Clinical RelevanceLow back pain is among the most common reasons for seeking healthcare visits. Combining exercise and counseling through soft‐based programs may effectively address this issue and its associated suffering and disability.