Postural Based Telerehabilitation in Mechanic Neck Pain

Effects Of An Postural Based Telerehabilitation On Posture, Energy Consumption, and Performance In Mechanic Neck Pain

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.

Exercises about postural structures on the cervical and thoracal region. Bilateral pectoral stretching, chin tack exercises, cervical isotonic exercises, stretching of the upper trapezius and longus Colli, scapular region strengthening, shoulder capsular stretching, Wand exercises for 12 weeks and 3 times a week.

12 week based postural exercises and skills were applied to participants. The exercises were done 3 times a week. The exercises about cervical and thoracal region strengthening and stretching of muscles and structures.

Inclusion Criteria: Inclusion criteria were being aged 18 years or over, Volunteering to take part in the study, Being a student of online education, without a history of any neurological or orthopedic problem, with resting neck pain (as measured by the Visual Analogue Scale) lasting ≤30 days and that is aggravated by movement without extending distal to the shoulders. Exclusion Criteria: The exclusion criteria were neck pain that included inflammatory rheumatological diseases, malignancy, or structural deformity, previous surgery related to the cervical spine, Severe referred pain (greater than 7 on a 0-to-10 Visual Analogue Scale-VAS).

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