Study overview
Older adults can face unique barriers to digital care, including technology access, comfort with remote tools, and concerns about whether digital programs can provide enough support. This study evaluated whether older adults engaged with and benefited from Sword’s digital care program for chronic MSK pain.
The analysis compared older adults with younger participants across engagement, satisfaction, pain, mental health, productivity, and other outcomes. The goal was to understand whether age limited participation or clinical benefit in a fully remote program.
Key findings
Older adults engaged with digital care
The Sword summary notes that older adults showed strong engagement in the program. This helps challenge the assumption that digital MSK care is only suitable for younger populations.
Clinical outcomes improved
Older adults experienced improvements in pain and related outcomes, supporting the suitability of digital care for managing chronic MSK pain in this population.
Satisfaction supported acceptability
The study evaluated satisfaction as part of the analysis, helping show whether older adults found the program acceptable and usable.
Digital care may expand access for older members
For older adults, remote care may reduce travel and scheduling barriers while still providing guided exercise, education, and clinical monitoring.
Why this study matters
This study is important because age can be a common concern in digital health adoption. A clinical studies library should not assume that digital care is automatically equitable across age groups.
The findings suggest that older adults can engage with and benefit from a remote MSK care program. This supports Sword’s access narrative while keeping the focus on clinical outcomes and usability for a population with high MSK burden.
About the author
Fabiola Costa
Senior Director of Clinical Research, Sword Health
