Patients in Peterborough are the first to trial AI physio app treating back pain
Results from the trial saw waiting lists cut by 55%
Patients in Peterborough have been the first in England to trial a new Artificial Intelligence app that treats back pain.
The app, Flok Health, uses AI to recommend a plan of exercises for patients struggling with back pain.
80% of patients reported the app to be "equivalent or 'better" than face-to-face care.
There may be a broader issue
Finn Stevenson, Co Founder of the Flok Health, developed the app after struggling with his own back pain.
“I studied medicine and musculoskeletal medicine as a postgraduate and spent some time in my 20s as a full-time athlete in rowing where conditions like back pain are really common. We had constant support from medical staff, particularly physios."
“As soon as you had pain, you'd be able to see the physio normally the same day and then you'd be fine and racing again a week later.”
“When I retired from sport, and was outside of that environment and suddenly didn't have that available to me, I really struggled to get back on top of my back pain.”
“I thought that if I was having a problem with this, I may not be the only one, there may be a broader issue.”
AI is not new to the physiotherapy community
John Cowman from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists said:
"The app is welcomed by the physiotherapy community and indeed by patients."
“AI is not new to the physiotherapy community with several systems in use to either help with the administration of patient care or to help with clinical decision-making."
John added: “We know that the shift from analogue to digital is prominent within the new NHS plan and this system is one that shows the benefits of moving to systems empowered by AI.”
“We want to work well with AI. We want to see it as an adjunct to physiotherapy that will help patients receive better care.”
More data from the trial said 98% of patients trialled were assessed, treated and discharged all via the app.
Finn said: “For conditions like back pain where patients are often deteriorating or becoming worse as they wait for care."
“We're now working really hard with NHS organizations across the UK to expand access to this service and ensure that regardless of where you live, you will be able to access this sort of care rather than a sort of postcode lottery where some services are available in some areas but not in others.”