A randomized controlled trial on the effectiveness of remote app assisted physiotherapy in patients with non-specific low back pain

In Switzerland, 1.5 million people suffer from low back pain (LBP), which is often the cause of disability [1]. Non-specific LBP is a major cause of high healthcare costs in developed countries and often leads to early retirement [2]. The development of musculoskeletal assessment through remote app-assisted therapeutic home training may be useful for individuals with non-specific LBP, providing initial support for its implementation in primary care in the patient's home [3]. App-supported therapeutic solutions allow healthcare professionals to prescribe and monitor rehabilitation programs remotely. These innovative solutions have the potential to reduce healthcare costs and provide clinical outcomes comparable or even better than conventional physiotherapy (PT), especially for patients in remote areas [4]. Akina Cloud, a digital health application developed by an ETH spin-off to support therapeutic exercises in people with musculoskeletal disorders, is the first remote app-assisted therapeutic home training solution available in Switzerland. It provides patients with exercise and educational content and facilitates communication between patients and therapists via the application. The aim of this study is to show the efficacy of the remote app-assisted physiotherapy through Akina Cloud in patients with non-specific LBP.