Effects of Spinal Stabilization Exercises Delivered Using Telerehabilitation on Outcomes in Patients with Chronic Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: When spinal stabilization exercises (SSE) are performed regularly, they may provide benefits on outcome measures in chronic nonspecific neck pain (CNNP) patients. The pandemic has made it difficult for CNNP patients to access regular physiotherapy-exercise services. This study aims to compare telerehabilitation (TR) with face-to-face rehabilitation in CNNP patients.

METHODS: Neck Functional Capacity Evaluation Test (NFCET) results were the primary outcomes. Pain intensity (PI), disability, awareness, the architecture of the neck muscles, and exercise satisfaction were the secondary outcomes. Patients were randomized into the TR group (TRG) (n=15) and the control group (CG) (n=16). All patients performed SSE 3 days a week, for 8 weeks. The TRG was instructed remotely while the CG was instructed in the clinic.

RESULTS: After 8 weeks, NFCET values increased (p<0.05). In both groups, PI and disability decreased and neck awareness increased (p<0.05). Muscle architecture parameters improved in both groups (p<0.05), except for the Right Sternocleidomastoideus in both groups and the Right Upper-Trapezius in TRG (p>0.05). There was no difference between the groups for all variables and exercise satisfaction after 8 weeks (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION: SSE for neck pain, whether supervised by a therapist in the clinic or by telerehabilitation, was equally effective.