The Effect of Therapeutic Adherence on the Effectiveness of a Digital Therapeutic Exercise Program: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

Abstract

This study used a PSM model to comparatively assess the achievement of a clinically relevant pain improvement among patients who exhibit a high use (HU), intermediate use (IU), low use (LU), or sub-LU use profile. Sensitivity analyses with commonly accepted thresholds for clinically relevant improvements were conducted. Higher use profiles show a higher probability of achieving a clinically relevant improvement of self-reported pain intensities. Additionally, the achievement of any higher use level is associated with a significant increase in the probability of achieving a clinically relevant improvement. To enable the optimal effectiveness of DTx home exercise programs, an HU use profile should be pursued. This finding is in line with earlier guidance for the achievement of optimal therapeutic benefit from conventional movement and exercise therapy and underscores the importance of a cross-disciplinary effort from patients, healthcare professionals and system stakeholders alike to maximize the therapeutic effect from DTx.