Remotely Spinal Stabilization Exercises in Individuals With Chronic Neck Pain

Effects of Remotely Applied Spinal Stabilization Exercises on Functional Level and Muscle Architecture in Individuals With Chronic Neck Pain

Neck pain is a problem that recurs at certain stages of life and can affect approximately half of the population. A problem in the cervical region can cause problems such as pain and limitation in the surrounding joints. Doing a job with functional activity or fulfilling professional requirements can aggravate neck pain. As a result, anatomical, physiological and psychological systems emerge as factors affecting pain. Determining the disability of the individual and the effectiveness of rehabilitation can be demonstrated with functional capacity assessment. It is stated that in individuals with chronic neck pain, architectural features such as functional cross-sectional area of deep neck muscles and reduction of muscle thickness change. Muscle preservation may increase as pain increases, and more protection too; Limitations can further increase conditions such as pain. In addition to the problem being only in the neck region, the whole spine posture may change, and the lumbar region muscles may also weaken by considering the spine as a whole. It is stated that the muscular architectural properties of the cervical and lumbar region, which play an important role in the posture of the spine in individuals with chronic neck pain, can be improved with exercise. During the 2020 years' pandemic process, the time spent at home, the use of mobile devices, the duration of working at home on a desk increased, and increases in spine pain reported to professionals were observed. The fact that family members are at home has increased the workload of the home and the frequency of performing functional activities has increased. It is reported that the distance between physiotherapists and patients should be at least 2 meters in clinics due to the risk of contamination. As a result, the pandemic process has brought the remote exercise management, tele-rehabilitation process to the fore for physiotherapists and the society. With spinal stabilization exercises, the functional level and muscle architecture of individuals with chronic neck pain can be associated with architectural changes in the spinal muscles. As a result of the 2020 years' pandemic, it is not known whether remote exercise and face-to-face exercises will have different effects on clinical variables, functional activities, muscle architecture, together with difficulties in accessing clinics. The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of remote spinal stabilization exercises on functional level and muscle architecture on individuals with chronic neck pain.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Having neck pain for at least 3 months,
• Between the ages of 18-55,
• Being literate,
• Individuals who are capable of understanding exercises (Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MOCA) total score> 21) will be included in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Cervical radiculopathy, thoracic outlet syndrome,
• Malignant condition,
• Having systemic diseases such as neurological, psychological, cardiovascular and loss of function due to these diseases,
• A history of surgery in the spine and upper extremity, including the cervical region, in the last 1 year period,
• Fracture in the spine and upper extremity, including the cervical region, with a history of inflammation,
• Acute infection,
• Continuing another rehabilitation program,
• Individuals who do not agree to participate in the study and do not give written consent will be excluded from the study.