> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.coios.me/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Digital interventions for low back pain compared across 84 randomised trials
- URL: https://www.coios.me/digital-interventions-for-low-back-pain-compared-across-84/
- Published: 2026-11-07T12:57:33.000Z
- Updated: 2026-11-07T17:43:33.000Z
- Description: Virtual reality cut pain intensity most against control at the end of treatment, rated with moderate confidence.
- Author: Daniel Ryan
- Tags: Tomorrow's world, Medicine at a distance, World, #preprint, #refines, #item, #source-2026-11, #score-57

This systematic review and network meta-analysis compared digital health interventions for adults with low back pain. It pooled 84 randomised trials with 11 649 participants from database and trial registry searches to August 2026\. Formats included telemedicine, web and mobile apps, virtual reality, exergaming, biofeedback, face-to-face care and control. At the end of treatment, virtual reality reduced pain intensity most (SMD -1.43, 95% CI -1.87 to -0.98; moderate confidence). It was also linked to lower fear avoidance (SMD -1.14) and better quality of life (SMD 0.97). Its effect on physical function (SMD -0.86) and other estimates, such as self-efficacy, had very low confidence.

*Why it is interesting: Digital care for back pain spans many formats, from telemedicine to virtual reality. This network meta-analysis compares seven formats against control in one analysis, with virtual reality ahead at the end of treatment.*

Source

[medRxiv, 2 November 2026](https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.09.23.26363780?ref=coios.me)

Paper

Comparative effectiveness of digital health interventions for low back pain: systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Authors

Chen R, Wu Z, Wei X, Yang W, Yan C, Chen H et al.

DOI

10.64898/2026.09.23.26363780

Type

Preprint

Design

Systematic review and frequentist random-effects network meta-analysis of 84 randomised trials (92 reports, 11,649 adults), databases from inception to August 2026

Verdict

Refines prior evidence

Driver

[Medicine at a distance](https://www.coios.me/d-remote-medicine/)