Randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a digital health application (Kaia) for the prevention of back pain and improvement of quality of life among nursing staff
Digital applications in the prevention of back pain among nursing staff
Introduction
Many healthcare professionals, especially in inpatient settings, frequently report chronic back pain due to high physical workload. There are only a few specific prevention programs in that address this issue. Digital prevention programs are not yet established in occupational medicine in Germany.
Objective
The study aims to investigate whether the regular use of the digital health application Kaia Health, compared to standard prevention, leads to improvements in pain, quality of life, physical function, sleep behavior, and mental health in healthcare professionals. Secondarily, the influence of the Kaia Health app on physical-activity-related-health-competency and health competency as well as on spinal mobility and gait is being investigated.
Method
In a monocentric, prospective, randomized controlled trial (DRKS-ID 00036889, registered on 14.05.2025), approximately 120 healthcare professionals with at least five years of professional experience will be equally assigned to either a control group (standard prevention) or an intervention group (Kaia Health app against back pain). The intervention group will complete daily exercise training with the Kaia Health app, while the control group will receive a one-time preventive consultation with exercise recommendations and information on courses and sports programs at the University Hospital Erlangen. Data will be collected at three time points using validated questionnaires on pain intensity, quality of life, sleep quality, mental health, physical-activity-related-health competence and health competence as well as objective measurements using spinal mobility measurement and gait analysis.
Expected Results
Based on previous studies on the effectiveness of the Kaia app, a significant improvement in physical and psychological well-being as well as improvement in physical-activity-related-health-competency, mobility and gait is expected in the intervention group.
Discussion
This study is among the first occupational medicine randomized controlled trial on the effectiveness of a digital health application (DHA) in nursing staff and thus offers potential for new impulses for a digital prevention strategy in healthcare. Possible limitations arise from recruitment and the time commitment, which can negatively impact willingness to participate. The self-motivation of participants can also significantly influence the study results.
