Authors (including presenting author) :
Kam SW (1), Chan CK (2), Lau MY (3), Lai KW (2), Wong MS (3), Chan PY (3), Leung SM (1), Siu HK (1)
Affiliation :
(1)Physiotherapy Department, Prince of Wales Hospital,
(2)Physiotherapy Department, North District Hospital,
(3)Physiotherapy Department, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital
Introduction :
A protocol-driven NTEC Cluster-based Tele-LBP Exercise Class has been established, to provide continuity of care to physiotherapy out-patient (OP) services and uphold the principle of social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Objectives :
To deliver a secured online therapeutic exercise training to patients with chronic low back pain while physiotherapists could have real-time monitoring and supervision of the home exercise performance as prescribed in OP clinic.
Methodology :
Patients from AHNH, NDH & PWH attended a course of 4-sessions exercise class. In the first session, patients received face-to-face baseline assessment, therapeutic exercises prescription and practice with exercise videos on HAGo Apps, ZOOM usage tutorial in individual mother hospital. Patients from 3 different hospitals then attended 2 sessions of cluster-based Tele-LBP exercise class together. Real-time feedback were given by host physiotherapist continuously. In the fourth session, patients received face-to-face exercise revision and assessment of Numeric Global Rate of Change Score (NGRCS), Numeric Pain Rating Score (NPRS), Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) and fill in a satisfaction feedback survey. Outcome measures were compared with the conventional 5-sessions back exercise class.
Result & Outcome :
From Feb to Nov 2021, there were total 14 sessions of TELE-LBP exercise class held. 45 patients (12 male and 33 female) participated, aged from 25 to 72 (averaged 60). Average NGRCS among all participated patients were 3.9. NPRS were improved from 5.5 to 3.6, which were statistically significant. While the RMDQ were changed from 8.3 to 7.3. More than 70% of patients were satisfied with our Tele-LBP exercise class model from the result of the satisfaction feedback survey. When compared with conventional back class, the tele-LBP class was similar in terms of pain reduction, but improvement in NGRCS & RMDQ were slightly less.
This cluster-based Tele-LBP exercise class were efficient and safe in providing supervised therapeutic exercise program without the constraint of clinic space, patient travel time and social distancing concern during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tele-LBP sessions are similar in content and therapeutic effect is not inferior to the conventional back class.
