Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41765905›Full record

ArticleSystematic reviews2026

Telerehabilitation of chronic low back pain: protocol of a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Cheng Fan, Qiaojun Zhang, Xiaohui Lei, Ben Ma, Boyi Li, Jiamin Yang, Yaofeng Li, Kai Wan, Lei Lu, Siduo Zhang and 5 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Systematic reviews, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

15 authors.

Cheng FanDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710004, China. 17853590388@163.com.ORCID 0000-0003-4475-8588
Qiaojun ZhangDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710004, China.
Xiaohui LeiDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710004, China.
Ben MaDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710004, China.
Boyi LiDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Quzhou Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Quzhou People's Hospital, Quzhou, 324000, China.
Jiamin YangThe Quzhou Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Quzhou People's Hospital, Quzhou, 324000, China.
Yaofeng LiDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710004, China.
Kai WanDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710004, China.
Lei LuDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710004, China.
Siduo ZhangDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710004, China.
Bingtao HuDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710004, China.
Jing YangDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710004, China.
Weiqi LiDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710004, China.
Peijia FuDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710004, China.
Hongfei QiaoDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710004, China. doctorqhf@xjtu.edu.cn.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundChronic low back pain (CLBP) is among the most disabling musculoskeletal disorders worldwide. Traditional in-person rehabilitation is often limited by time, geographic, and financial barriers. Telerehabilitation, which delivers personalized interventions through digital technologies (e.g., mobile apps, video coaching, wearable devices, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence feedback systems), is emerging as a complementary and alternative approach to conventional rehabilitation. However, there is currently no consensus on its efficacy and safety. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of various forms of telerehabilitation in improving pain intensity, physical function, psychological symptoms, and quality of life in patients with CLBP. In addition, the study will assess intervention adherence, patient satisfaction, and safety (as measured by the incidence of adverse events) through systematic review and network meta-analysis.

methodsA systematic search will be conducted in the following databases: PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science, covering all records from database inception to 31 December 2025. Eligible studies will include randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving adults (≥ 18 years) with CLBP, comparing telerehabilitation interventions to any control intervention. The primary outcome will be pain intensity, while secondary outcomes will include physical function, psychological status, quality of life, and adverse events. The risk of bias for the included studies will be assessed using the revised Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool. The certainty of evidence will be evaluated using the CINeMA (Confidence in Network Meta-Analysis) web application. All network meta-analyses will be conducted within a frequentist framework using Stata 15 software and will apply random-effects models. Intervention rankings will be estimated using Surface Under the Cumulative Ranking (SUCRA) curves and illustrated with forest plots showing both individual and pooled effect sizes. Additional analyses will include assessments of statistical inconsistency, publication bias, heterogeneity, sensitivity, and subgroup differences. DISCUSSION: This study aimed to compare and rank the available evidence on various forms of telerehabilitation for the management of CLBP, as well as to assess its safety. The findings offer valuable insights for healthcare professionals and policymakers, supporting the advancement of patient-centered rehabilitation strategies. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD420251015478.

Indexed as

Chronic PainLow Back PainTelerehabilitationHumansNetwork Meta-Analysis as TopicQuality of LifeRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicSystematic Reviews as TopicChronic low back painNetwork meta-analysisSystematic reviewTelerehabilitation

Identifiers

PMID41765905
PMCPMC13059557

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.