A new peer-reviewed study by Mt. Sinai reveals SimpleTherapy’s MSK Program associated with reductions in chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Introduction

Chronic musculoskeletal (MSK) pain costs US $980 billion annually. Conservative treatments are the gold standard, but scalable treatment methods remain to be evaluated. However, inadequate access to facilities, equipment, or instruction is a major barrier to a successful clinical outcome. Moreover, 78% of chronic pain patients do not adhere to Physical Therapy prescribed home exercise.

Dive deeper into the results of SimpleTherapy’s groundbreaking study in partnership with the Department of Rehabilitation and Human Performance at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

Study Background

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of SimpleTherapy’s MSK program on pain reduction and the perceived benefits for a large population suffering from chronic MSK pain. The study analyzed data from 3,109 participants (18-98, 49% female) with MSK pain, making it one of the largest digital MSK care studies to date.

Methodology

The study examined data from participants using SimpleTherapy’s exercise therapy program. The pain levels were measured using an 11-point Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), and the percentage improvement in participants’ quality of life (QoL) and work-life were assessed. The study also examined user engagement, including the frequency of session completions and the time between sessions.

Key Demographics

Key Findings:

• Significant decrease in pain levels: By the eleventh session, there was a substantial reduction of 2.09 points in average pain levels – a clinically significant result.
• Improvement in quality of life: Participants reported a noteworthy increase of 20.3% in their work-life balance or quality of life.
• Increase in work productivity: Participants demonstrated improved work productivity, attributable to the reduction in pain and the increase in overall quality of life.
• High level of user engagement: Our program witnessed impressive engagement statistics, including:
  • 46% of participants completed more than one session per day.
  • 70% of participants completed two sessions within two days.
  • 88% of participants engaged within a week of beginning their programs.

These compelling findings demonstrate the effectiveness and impact of SimpleTherapy’s digital MSK care platform.

Additional Findings

In addition to the key findings highlighted in the press release, the study also revealed:

• The ability of SimpleTherapy’s Pain Management Programs to provide benefits similar to traditional physical therapy (PT)
• The added advantage of high levels of engagement and enhanced accessibility without requiring complex hi-tech setups such as motion sensors or computer vision technology
• A strong positive correlation between the frequency of exercise therapy sessions and improvements in pain levels, QoL, and work-life.
• Participants who completed at least 29 sessions experienced the most significant improvements in their work-life and QoL.
• The study highlights the scalability and wide-ranging disease applicability of the SimpleTherapy program, given the large number of participants and multiple pain sites covered, including lower back, upper back, neck, ankle, foot, wrist, hand, hip, and knee
• The study findings support the potential of SimpleTherapy’s exercise therapy program as a viable alternative to traditional physical therapy, particularly for those facing barriers to accessing in-person care.

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“Chronic musculoskeletal pain continues to experience significant innovations in management and care through integration of telehealth and telerehabilitation technologies. As these innovations continue, it is crucial that we quantify the extent to which telerehabilitation platforms such as SimpleTherapy can produce meaningful changes in user pain levels. It is incredibly encouraging to see such positive results in this initial trial.”

— Dr. David Putrino
Director of Rehabilitation Innovation at The Mount Sinai Health System
Official Medical Provider for Red Bull’s Sponsored Athletes in North America
“Chief Mad Scientist” at Not Impossible Labs

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Implications for Employers and Health Plans

The results of this study not only demonstrate the clinical efficacy of SimpleTherapy’s exercise therapy program but also highlight its potential to lower healthcare costs and improve outcomes for employees and health plan members suffering from chronic MSK pain. The high user engagement and accessibility of the program make it an ideal solution for employers and health plans looking to invest in digital MSK care for their members.

Furthermore, SimpleTherapy’s platform significantly contributes to health equity by providing easy accessibility, requiring no sensors, and offering an intuitive user experience. This allows individuals from diverse backgrounds and with varying levels of technological proficiency to access and benefit from the platform. For forward-looking employers who prioritize equitable healthcare for all their employees, SimpleTherapy presents a valuable opportunity to positively impact the well-being of their workforce, regardless of their socioeconomic status, geographic location, or prior exposure to technology.

By incorporating SimpleTherapy’s digital MSK care solutions into their benefits packages, employers and health plans can proactively promote health equity and ensure all members have equal access to quality care for chronic MSK pain management.

Exclusive Interview – Dr. Bret Sullivan, DC, FACO of SimpleTherapy, discusses the study.

To provide a deeper understanding of the study results and their significance, we are excited to present an exclusive interview featuring Dr. Sullivan, Medical Director at SimpleTherapy. In this recorded video interview, the research team discusses the study’s methodology, key findings, and the potential impact of SimpleTherapy’s digital MSK care platform on healthcare equity and outcomes for employees and health plan members.

Watch the full interview below to gain valuable insights from two leading experts in the field of digital MSK care and rehabilitation.

About Dr. C. Bret Sullivan

Dr. C. Bret Sullivan is A Board Certified Chiropractic Orthopedist and the Medical Director of SimpleTherapy and oversees all clinical aspects of the organization, including establishing and maintaining a philosophy of care, policies and procedures, utilization and quality management programs, and oversight of all clinical reviewers. Dr. C Bret Sullivan served as the Western Regional Medical Director/VP for United Health Care /ACN group, which in 2011 became part of Optum. He was responsible for chiropractic, acupuncture, PT, Massage Therapy, and naturopathy care for more than 2 million Members. In addition to his role with Simple Therapy, Dr. Sullivan works for the largest integrated healthcare system in the United States.

Conclusion

SimpleTherapy is committed to advancing the field of digital MSK care and continuously investing in research to validate the impact of its solutions. The Mount Sinai study serves as a testament to SimpleTherapy’s dedication to clinical rigor, efficacy, and improving the lives of those suffering from chronic MSK pain.

Click here to see the original publication.

References:

Delgado AD, Salazar SI, Rozaieski K, Putrino D, Tabacof L. Engagement in an mHealth guided exercise therapy program is associated with reductions in chronic musculoskeletal pain. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2023 Mar 31. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000002257. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37026894.