Chronic Non-Specific Neck Pain
Conditions
Brief summary
This study examined whether a 6-week telerehabilitation exercise program could reduce pain and improve daily functioning in people with chronic non-specific neck pain. Participants were adults aged 18-65 who had neck pain for at least 3 months. The program included guided physiotherapy-based exercises delivered online using video calls. Outcomes measured included pain intensity, disability, mood, and sleep quality. The goal was to evaluate if telerehabilitation is an effective and safe method for managing chronic neck pain.
Detailed description
Chronic non-specific neck pain is a common condition that negatively affects quality of life and daily functioning. Conventional rehabilitation programs often require face-to-face sessions, which may be limited by access barriers. Telerehabilitation offers a practical alternative by providing physiotherapy interventions remotely through online platforms. This study investigated the effects of a 6-week telerehabilitation-based exercise program on individuals with chronic non-specific neck pain. Participants were randomly assigned to groups and received structured exercise sessions guided by a physiotherapist via video calls. Primary outcome was pain intensity measured with the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes included disability assessed by the Neck Disability Index (NDI), mood and psychological well-being assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-21) and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), and sleep quality measured with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The objective was to evaluate whether telerehabilitation exercises can reduce pain and disability, and improve psychological health and sleep quality, providing evidence for its effectiveness as a non-invasive and accessible management strategy for neck pain.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALTelerehabilitation Exercise Program
1. Telerehabilitation Exercise Program Intervention Description: A 6-week structured telerehabilitation exercise program delivered via Zoom under the supervision of a physiotherapist. Sessions were conducted 4 days per week, approximately 20-30 minutes each. Exercises focused on posture correction, cervical stabilization, mobility, and pain management strategies. 2. Home Exercise Program Intervention Description: A 6-week home exercise program for chronic non-specific neck pain. Exercises were demonstrated once weekly via Zoom by a physiotherapist, and participants performed them independently at home on the remaining days. Each session lasted 20-30 minutes and included stretching, strengthening, and posture training.
Sponsors
Istanbul Gelisim University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 55 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Aged 18-55 years History of neck pain lasting at least 3 months Willingness to participate in the study Having an active internet connection and access to a tablet or computer at home Ability to read and write in Turkish \-
Exclusion criteria
* Traumatic cervical injuries Tumoral conditions Cognitive impairments Receiving physiotherapy for neck pain within the last 6 months Presence of visual or hearing impairments
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pain Intensity (VAS) | Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention | Change in pain intensity assessed by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Scores range from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Neck Disability (NDI) | Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention | Change in functional disability assessed by the Neck Disability Index (NDI). Scores range from 0 to 50, with higher scores indicating greater disability. |
| Sleep Quality (PSQI) | Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention | Change in sleep quality assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Scores range from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating poorer sleep quality. |
| Depression, Anxiety, and Stress (DASS-21) | Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention | Change in psychological outcomes assessed by the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS-21). Subscale scores range from 0 to 42. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed