Randomised controlled trial assessing the effects of 6-week telerehabilitation exercise programme on chronic non-specific neck pain: a study protocol.

ABSTRACT

Chronic non-specific neck pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal conditions affecting the work and lifestyle of those suffering from it. Physiotherapy interventions, such as strength training and stretching, have positively influenced neck pain. Patient adherence to home-based exercises is a growing concern that could be easily improved through telerehabilitation exercise programmes. This can also be a cost-effective, time-efficient and patient-suitable service. Therefore, this study aims to establish the effectiveness of telerehabilitation exercise intervention by measuring patient adherence, pain score, disability index, cervical range of motion (CROM) and cervical muscle endurance. This randomised controlled trial will include n=60 participants, aged 18-45 years, in a 6-week home-based exercise programme delivered through telerehabilitation or paper-based instructions. Outcome measures from participants will be obtained at baseline and on completion of 6 weeks. These will include the Visual Analogue Scale for Pain, Neck Disability Index questionnaire, CROM by using the CROM instrument and cervical muscle endurance through the Craniocervical Flexion Test. For baseline differences between groups, an independent samples t-test will be used. Repeated measures analysis of variance will be used for within-group and between-group analyses at three different time points (0 weeks, 3 weeks, 6 weeks). Trial registration numberNCT06076174.