selfBACK
H2020 R&I project selfBACK successfully delivered, after 5 years of intense work, an AI based decision support system using an app and a wearable for helping sufferers of lower back pain (LBP) stay on track with their therapy.
Some further highlights that might be of interest to you:
The app uses AI in the form of case-based reasoning in particular to create weekly, personalised self-management plans. The SELFBACK intervention is an evidence-based decision support system that provides weekly, individually tailored self-management recommendations for 3 main components (1) physical activity (number of steps), (2) strength and flexibility exercises, and (3) daily educational messages.
Among hundreds of health apps already available in the app stores, this selfBACK app stands out by being based on sound scientific evidence. Scientific article published in JAMA Internal Medicine . The results showed that self-management support delivered via the selfBACK app reduces LBP-related disability as compared to usual care alone.
The effectiveness of selfBACK app was evaluated in an international multi-center randomized controlled trial (RCT) using pain-related disability as the primary outcome. A control group followed traditional methods of care. The other used the selfBACK system alongside the standard therapy, including advice or treatment offered to the participants by their clinician. At a 3 month follow-up, 52 % of the participants using the selfBACK app along with standard care had achieved a significant reduction in pain-related disability compared to only 39 % in the control group.
The consortium has also launched a spin-off company to further commercialise the app. This digital therapeutics company based in Denmark plans to further commercialise the selfBACK system and make it available in several European countries by the end of 2022.
A ‘Results in Brief’ article is now published on the CORDIS website.