The impact of an online, applied educational program on pain intensity, disability, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among patients receiving chiropractic care

Abstract

Chiropractic patients were selected as part of this research study because back pain has become a serious public health problem, impacting disability, medical costs, and an individual's quality of life. A double-blind pilot experimental design was conducted for the purpose of determining the efectiveness of an 8-week online educational sef-management program, the Healthy Back and Spine Challenge, used in conjunction with chiropractic treatment. Self-reported levels of change on 3 specific outcomes were compared and analyzed on two study groups: an intervention group, referred to as the "challenge group" (group 1) and a usual care group (group 2). The 3 outcomes studied were pain intensity, low back pain disability, and overall health-related quality of life.