Postural Based Telerehabilitation in Mechanic Neck Pain

Overview

It has been reported that staying in the same posture for a long time causes musculoskeletal system problems, and the use of mobile phones and other electronic devices continuously, especially in the internet age, causes postural problems in many people. Physiotherapy applications including strengthening, stretching, yoga, pain-oriented applications, and behavioral treatments are performed for an ideal posture to regulate postural problems. When the literature is examined, it has been seen that the studies carried out after the Covid 19 pandemic have developed especially in the direction of telerehabilitation, but there is a need for studies showing the effect of exercise applications developed for individuals with mechanical neck pain. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of 12-week telerehabilitation on posture, energy consumption, and performance in individuals with mechanical neck pain.

This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Faculty of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, University of Health Sciences. All evaluations were performed in the university physiotherapy laboratories. All of the participants were informed about the study and provided written informed consent. This study was performed in accordance with the 1964 Helsinki declaration, its later amendments.110 people over the age of 18 were included in the study. Posture-oriented exercises were applied online 3 times a week for 12 weeks. Postural measurements, performance, and energy consumption levels were determined for each participant before and after the intervention. Craniovertebral angle and shoulder angle were measured with a smartphone application and muscle shortness was measured with clinical tests among postural measurements. Performance measurement was evaluated with the 6-minute walking test, and energy consumption was evaluated with the Physiological Cost Index. Individuals diagnosed with mechanical neck pain who applied to the university's wellness center for exercise between September 2021 and December 2021 were determined by physiotherapists who are experts in their fields. A cross-sectional selection of 110 individuals met the inclusion criteria. This study was conducted with assessments made before and after posture-based telerehabilitation.