Computer-vision Aided Community Back Pain Physiotherapy Services

Computer-vision Aided Community Back Pain Physiotherapy Services

Back pain affects one-third of the UK population every year with a huge impact on the health service and economy. The aim of this study is to test the validity of a computer-vision (CV) technology that uses cameras on phones/tablets/webcams to assess a person's movement and function with the ultimate goal to use the CV system to screen for back pain conditions. Participants with and without back pain will be included in the study and they will be asked to perform standard functional movements that would be used for a physiotherapy assessment for a back condition. The participants will also perform these movements in front of a camera for video recordings to be analysed by the CV system. The measurements by the CV system will be compared to the measurements by the physiotherapist. Additionally, participants will perform and record videos of the same set of movements at home to test the feasibility of the CV system in a home environment.

Back pain affects one-third of the UK population every year with a huge impact on the health service and economy. One specific back pain condition is Axial Spondyloarthropathy (AxSpa), which is an inflammatory spinal arthritis that causes pain and stiffness. This life-long condition presents in the early twenties as 'regular' back pain. Due to its similarity to other back pain conditions, there is an average 8.5-year delay to diagnosis. The aim of this study is to test the validity of a computer-vision (CV) technology that uses cameras on phones/tablets/webcams to assess a person's movement and function with the ultimate goal to use the CV system to screen for back pain conditions, such as AxSpa. The CV system development is led by the GoodBoost Wellbeing Limited and The National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society (NASS) is supporting the recruitment of people living with AxSpa.

The CV system that has been developed is a form of artificial intelligence video analysis which is able to automatically measure specific functional movements captured on video. To validate this CV system, this study is designed to compare it to the clinical gold standard measurement by a physiotherapist. Participants with and without back pain will be included in the study and they will be asked to perform standard functional movements that would be used for a physiotherapy assessment for a back condition. The participants will also perform these movements in front of a camera for video recordings to be analysed by the CV system. The measurements by the CV system will be compared to the measurements by the physiotherapist. Additionally, participants will perform and record videos of the same set of movements at home to test the feasibility of the CV system in a home environment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• ● The participant is willing and able to give informed consent for participation in the study.

  • Male or Female, aged 18 years or above.
  • For back pain group: diagnosed with AxSpa or long-standing non-specific LBP
  • For healthy group: healthy with no long-standing back pain
  • For the home setting, the participant must be capable of uploading videos from a smartphone or webcam.

Exclusion Criteria:

• ● Has had surgery within 6 months of registration

  • Unable to stand independently
  • Unable to pass screening questions to participate in physical activity
  • Serious neurological condition preventing normal movement or walking ability
  • Any severe medical conditions, such as cardiovascular disease