The Effect of an Exercise Program Applied Through Telerehabilitation on Pain, Sleep Quality, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress in Individuals With Chronic Non-specific Neck Pain
The Effect of an Exercise Program Applied Through Telerehabilitation on Pain, Sleep Quality, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress in Individuals With Chronic Non-specific Neck Pain
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.
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.
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
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Exclusion Criteria:
Tumoral conditions
Cognitive impairments
Receiving physiotherapy for neck pain within the last 6 months
Presence of visual or hearing impairments