Online cognitive training holds promising outcomes for alleviating chronic low back pain

The findings of a recent randomized controlled trial published in the “Scientific Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine” suggested that online cognitive training can be a game-changer in relieving pain and improving psychological factors for individuals suffering from low back pain. Chronic non-specific low back pain is identified by its complex nature. It is crucial to recognize the significance of individuals' perceptions of pain and the intricate interplay between their biological traits and psychological distress.

As the expenses associated with traditional, in-person therapeutic interventions have soared, and accessibility has become more challenging, there has been a drastic shift towards investigating online exercise-based approaches. But, the efficacy of these online interventions for addressing chronic low back pain remains an understudied area. This study by Gelareh Alamouti and colleagues examined the outcome of online cognitive exercises on pain and psychological factors in chronic non-specific low back pain sufferers.

A total of 44 participants comprising both males and females aged 25 to 55, were selected from diverse sources, including physician offices, and physiotherapy clinics in Tehran and Karaj. These participants were then divided into two groups: an experimental group and a control group, keeping in view the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Over 12 weeks, the experimental group underwent 18 online cognitive training sessions.

Researchers assessed pain levels and psychological factors using the visual analogue scale (VAS), the fear-avoidance belief questionnaire, and the pain self-efficacy questionnaire. Statistical analyses comprised of repeated measures analysis of variance, independent t-tests, and paired t-tests (significance: 0.05).

The study yielded highly promising results, indicating a significant reduction in pain levels, an enhancement of pain self-efficacy, and a reduction in fear-avoidance beliefs regarding daily physical activities and working conditions within the online cognitive training group (P < 0.001). On the other hand, the control group displayed no such improvements between their pre-test and post-test assessments. Hence, online cognitive exercises exert a positive impact on individuals suffering from chronic non-specific low back pain.