Effects of a home-based telerehabilitation exercise program in non-specific chronic low back pain: Integration of clinical scales and wearable sensor assessment

Clin Biomech (Bristol). 2026 Apr 11;137:106846. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2026.106846. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP) is a multifactorial condition associated with disability and reduced quality of life. Telerehabilitation may enhance access to exercise-based care; however, existing evidence is heterogeneous, and objective outcome assessments are often limited.

METHODS: This study evaluated the effects of a six-week telerehabilitation program in 21 adults with NSCLBP (16 females; 32-80 years) assessing clinical information and motor performance before and after the intervention. Wearable measurements, including inertial sensors and surface electromyography, were collected during five tasks: Timed Up and Go, Sit-to-Stand, and three NSCLBP-specific exercises. Depending on the data distribution, paired t-tests or Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were applied. Effect sizes, 95% confidence intervals, and false discovery rate (FDR) adjustments were also reported.

FINDINGS: Disability and functionality scores improved significantly, whereas pain and kinesiophobia did not change. Surface electromyography parameters showed significant pre-post changes during Timed Up and Go, Sit-to-Stand, and NSCLBP-specific exercises, whereas inertial sensors metrics exhibited minor pre-post changes.

INTERPRETATION: The six-week telerehabilitation program resulted in clinically meaningful improvements in disability and function. Wearable-based assessments provided complementary, objective insights into neuromuscular and movement-related changes. Informal patient feedback indicated that this digital approach is both feasible and acceptable.

PMID:41990574 | DOI:10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2026.106846