Bioengineering Support in the Assessment and Rehabilitation of Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Low-back pain (LBP) remains one of the most prevalent and disabling musculoskeletal conditions globally, with profound social, economic, and healthcare implications. The increasing incidence and chronicity of LBP have highlighted the need for more objective, personalized, and effective approaches to assessment and rehabilitation. In this context, bioengineering has emerged as a transformative field, offering novel tools and methodologies that enhance the understanding and management of LBP. This narrative review examines current bioengineering applications in both diagnostic and therapeutic domains. For assessment, technologies such as wearable inertial sensors, three-dimensional motion capture systems, surface electromyography, and biomechanical modeling provide real-time, quantitative insights into posture, movement patterns, and muscle activity. On the therapeutic front, innovations including robotic exoskeletons, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, virtual reality-based rehabilitation, and tele-rehabilitation platforms are increasingly being integrated into multimodal treatment protocols. These technologies support precision medicine by tailoring interventions to individual biomechanical and functional profiles. Furthermore, the incorporation of artificial intelligence into clinical workflows enables automated data analysis, predictive modeling, and decision support systems, while future directions such as digital twin technology hold promise for personalized simulation and outcome forecasting. While these advancements are promising, further validation in large-scale, real-world settings is required to ensure safety, efficacy, and equitable accessibility. Ultimately, bioengineering provides a multidimensional, data-driven framework that has the potential to significantly improve the assessment, rehabilitation, and overall management of LBP.