Accepted for/Published in: Journal of Medical Internet Research
Date Submitted: Jul 4, 2026
Open Peer Review Period: Jul 7, 2026 - Jul 7, 2026
Date Accepted: Jul 10, 2026
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
Methodological Concerns Regarding the Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis of Telerehabilitation for Chronic Low Back Pain
ABSTRACT
We read with great interest the Bayesian network meta-analysis (NMA) by Gu et al. comparing the effectiveness of AI-assisted telerehabilitation (TLRH-AI), telerehabilitation (TLRH), in-person rehabilitation (IPR), and usual care (UC) for chronic nonspecific low back pain, published recently in the Journal of Medical Internet Research. While the study addresses an important clinical question and is commendable for its scope, we have identified several methodological inconsistencies and reporting errors that we believe substantially undermine the validity and interpretability of the findings. We outline these concerns below in the spirit of constructive scientific discourse.
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