Study overview
MSK pain disproportionately affects people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, often because of differences in access, care experience, and disease burden. This study evaluated whether a completely remote, multimodal digital care program supported engagement and outcomes across racial and ethnic groups.
Participants completed a 12-week digital rehabilitation program for MSK pain. Researchers assessed engagement, satisfaction, pain, mental health, productivity, and other outcomes across racial and ethnic groups to understand whether the program supported equitable improvement.
Key findings
The program reached a racially and ethnically diverse population
The Sword summary notes that the member population had a racial and ethnic distribution similar to the US population. That makes the study useful for evaluating digital care across a more representative real-world group.
Outcomes improved across racial and ethnic groups
Participants across racial and ethnic groups experienced significant improvements in MSK outcomes after the 12-week program. This supports the potential of digital care to deliver meaningful benefits across diverse populations.
Engagement was broadly similar
The study evaluated engagement across groups, an important equity measure because access alone is not enough if certain groups are less likely to participate or complete care.
The study adds evidence on equity in digital rehabilitation
This was one of the first studies to evaluate racial and ethnic differences in a completely remote digital MSK care program, helping move the evidence base beyond average outcomes alone.
Why this study matters
This study is important because digital care should not only improve outcomes. It should improve outcomes equitably. By evaluating racial and ethnic differences in engagement and recovery, the study helps show whether a remote model can support broad access without widening disparities.
The findings support Sword’s health equity narrative, but they should be framed carefully. This is evidence that meaningful improvements were observed across groups in a real-world digital program, not proof that every structural barrier to MSK care is solved.
About the author
Fabiola Costa
Senior Director of Clinical Research, Sword Health
