Lumbar Disc Herniation
Conditions
Keywords
Digital Health, Digital Rehabilitation, Exercise Adherence, Lumbar Disc Herniation, Patient Monitoring Systems
Brief summary
The aim of this study was to develop an asynchronous, web-based telerehabilitation exercise and monitoring program and to compare its effectiveness with a traditional brochure-based home exercise program in patients with lumbar disc herniation. The study was designed as a randomized controlled trial including 46 participants who were allocated into two groups: a telerehabilitation group and a brochure-based exercise group. Both groups participated in a structured 4-week home exercise program. The telerehabilitation group received exercise guidance and follow-up through a web-based digital platform, which enabled remote monitoring of exercise adherence and patient-reported outcomes. The brochure group performed the same exercises using printed instructional materials. Participants were evaluated before and after the intervention using standardized and validated assessment tools, including the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for functional disability, the SF-12 for quality of life, and tests for static and dynamic lumbar muscle strength and endurance.
Detailed description
his study is a randomized controlled clinical trial designed to compare two different delivery methods of a home-based exercise program in patients diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation. The primary focus of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a web-based telerehabilitation exercise and monitoring program compared with a traditional brochure-based home exercise program. A total of 46 eligible participants are randomly assigned into two groups: a telerehabilitation group and a brochure-based exercise group. Both groups follow the same structured home exercise program for a duration of four weeks, consisting of standardized exercises performed three times per week. Participants in the telerehabilitation group access exercise instructions through a web-based digital platform that includes video demonstrations, written guidance, and remote monitoring features. The platform allows participants to record their exercise sessions and enables physiotherapists to monitor adherence and provide feedback when necessary. The intervention is delivered asynchronously, without real-time interaction. Participants in the brochure group receive printed materials containing the same exercises, including visual and written instructions. Initial instruction is provided face-to-face, after which participants continue the exercise program independently at home. Outcome assessments are conducted before and after the intervention by a physiotherapist who is blinded to group allocation. Evaluations include pain intensity, functional disability, quality of life, and lumbar muscle strength and endurance, using standardized and validated measurement tools.
Interventions
OTHERWeb-Based Telerehabilitation Exercise Program
Participants performed a structured home exercise program delivered through a web-based telerehabilitation platform. The program included video-guided exercises, written instructions, and asynchronous remote monitoring. Participants recorded their exercise sessions, and physiotherapists monitored adherence and provided feedback through the digital system. The intervention was conducted for 4 weeks, 3 days per week, with 3 sets of 10 repetitions for each exercise.
OTHERBrochure-Based Home Exercise Program
Participants performed the same structured home exercise program using printed brochures that included visual and written instructions. Exercises were initially demonstrated face-to-face, and participants continued independently at home without remote monitoring. The program was applied for 4 weeks, 3 days per week, with 3 sets of 10 repetitions for each exercise.
Sponsors
Necmettin Erbakan University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Caregiver, Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
Outcome assessments were conducted by a physiotherapist who was blinded to group allocation. Participants and care providers were not blinded due to the nature of the intervention.
Intervention model description
This study is a two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial comparing a web-based telerehabilitation exercise and monitoring program with a brochure-based home exercise program in patients with lumbar disc herniation. Participants are randomly allocated to one of the two groups and follow a standardized 4-week home exercise protocol. Outcome assessments are conducted before and after the intervention by a blinded assessor.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Aged between 18 and 65 years * Diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation by a specialist physician * Presence of bulging or protrusion stage lumbar disc herniation * Willing to participate and provide informed consent * Having basic smartphone or computer skills and access to the internet (for the telerehabilitation group
Exclusion criteria
* History of spinal surgery * Presence of extruded or sequestered lumbar disc herniation * Visual or hearing impairment that may affect participation * Presence of spinal tumors * Communication or cognitive problems preventing participation * Inability to understand Turkish
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pain intensity assessed by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) | Baseline and after 4 weeks | Pain intensity assessed by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Pain intensity measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), a 10-cm scale ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain. Higher scores represent greater pain severity. The assessment includes overall pain, pain at rest, pain during activity, and night pain. \[Time Frame: Baseline and after 4 weeks\]Pain intensity measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), a 10-cm scale ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain. Higher scores represent greater pain severity. The assessment includes overall pain, pain at rest, pain during activity, and night pain. |
| Functional disability (ODI) | Baseline and after 4 weeks | Functional disability assessed by the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) Functional disability measured using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), a questionnaire consisting of 10 items scored from 0 to 5, with a total score ranging from 0 to 50. Higher scores indicate greater disability. |
| Quality of life (SF-12) | Baseline and after 4 weeks | Quality of life assessed by the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) Quality of life measured using the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), which generates physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component summary scores ranging from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate better health-related quality of life. |
| Static trunk muscle endurance | Baseline and after 4 weeks | Static trunk muscle endurance assessed using Diener's trunk muscle test Static trunk muscle endurance measured using Diener's (1992) trunk muscle test, expressed as the duration (seconds) the participant maintains the trunk flexion position until the inferior angle of the scapula lifts off the surface. The maximum score is 30 seconds. Higher values indicate greater trunk muscle endurance. |
| Dynamic trunk muscle endurance | Baseline and after 4 weeks | Dynamic trunk muscle endurance assessed using Diener's trunk muscle test Dynamic trunk muscle endurance measured using Diener's (1992) trunk muscle test, expressed as the number of complete trunk flexion repetitions performed within 30 seconds. Higher values indicate greater trunk muscle endurance. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed