Conclusions
low back pain, LBP
SECONDARY
This study shows that the stratified blended physiotherapy intervention e-Exercise LBP is neither more effective in terms of physical functioning nor more cost-effective from a societal or health care perspective when compared with face-to-face physiotherapy for patients with nonspecific LBP. As clinical outcomes improved in both groups from baseline to the 12-month follow-up and no statistically substantial total cost or effect differences were found between the stratified blended physiotherapy intervention e-Exercise LBP and face-to-face physiotherapy, the 2 interventions seem to be equivalent. As a result, the decision regarding which intervention should be administered or implemented can be based on the preferences of the patient and the physiotherapist or the decision maker at hand.This study was cofunded by the Taskforce for Applied Research SIA (RAAK.PRO02.063), part of the Dutch Research Council. The funder had no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The authors are grateful for the invaluable help provided by Loes Kolenberg in the analysis of the physical activity data. They did not use generative artificial intelligence in any part of manuscript writing.Authors' Contributions: TK participated in the development of the design of the study, conducted the study, conducted the statistical analyses, and drafted and revised the manuscript. JMvD participated in the development of the design of the study, assisted and advised on the statistical analyses, and participated in the write-up and revision of the manuscript. CJJK participated in the development of the design of the study and the write-up and revision of the manuscript. RMA participated in the design of the study, carried out the study, and participated in revising the manuscript. CV supervised the project, advised on the design of the study and statistical analysis, and participated in revising the manuscript. MFP was the principal investigator, developed the design of the study, and participated in the write-up and revision of the manuscript. RWJGO supervised the project, advised on the design of the study and statistical analysis, and participated in revising the manuscript. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.Conflicts of Interest: None declared.CONSORT-EHEALTH (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials of Electronic and Mobile Health Applications and Online Telehealth) V1.6 checklist.CHEERS (Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards) checklist.Screenshots of the smartphone app.Within-group changes in the stratified blended physiotherapy group and the face-to-face physiotherapy group for the primary and secondary clinical outcome measures during the 12-month follow-up period.Mean costs per participant in the stratified blended physiotherapy group and the face-to-face physiotherapy group during the 12-month follow-up period for complete cases and per risk group for developing persistent low back pain.