The Effectiveness of the Exercise Program Applied by Telerehabilitation Method in Individuals With Chronic Neck Pain
The Effectiveness of the Exercise Program Applied by Telerehabilitation Method in Individuals With Chronic Neck Pain
Neck pain is a common musculoskeletal problem occurring as one of the first conditions causing decreased quality of life and disability.
An estimated 67.5% of people experience neck pain in their lives (5, 6). When the adult population is considered (15-74 years old), the prevalence ranges from 5.9% to 38.7%.
Causes of neck pain are largely variable, and include working in unsuitable ergonomic positions, sitting for a long time, and keeping the neck in abnormal physiological position for a long time.
Various factors are effective in the chronic stage of neck pain. Neck pain is associated with decreased strength and endurance of the cervical muscles. It was observed that deep flexor muscles are weak and superficial flexor muscle activity is increased in patients with neck pain; and that exercise is effective in reducing neck pain because strength, endurance, and flexibility can be regained in the structures around the damaged tissue.
There are several approaches that were found to be effective in the treatment of neck pain. These treatment strategies include physical therapy modalities, manual therapy, therapeutic exercise (stretching, strengthening, and endurance exercises) and home exercise programs.
Home exercise programs are used to expand the clinic-based physical therapy approaches to treat neck pain.
It was stated that it is now compulsory to develop new rehabilitation models and practices to cope with global increase in elderly population, limited resources allocated to public health, and changes in population needs. Telerehabilitation is recommended as a solution to provide physical therapy services; however, it was reported in previous studies that more studies are required in this field to accept its effectiveness.
The purpose of the present study is to examine the effects of 4-week exercise protocol established with stretching, strengthening the scapula muscles for the neck and upper body, neck and core stabilization exercises by ensuring the follow-up of the patients with Telerehabilitation Method on patients' neck pain, Daily Life Activities (DLA), and quality of life by comparing its effects with individuals who apply only home program.
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