Comparison of the effects of remote and face-to-face spinal stabilization exercises on functional level and muscle architecture of individuals with chronic neck pain

This study aimed to compare the effects of remote and face-to-face spinal stabilization exercises (SSE) on the functional level, muscle architecture, pain intensity, disability, neck awareness, kinesiophobia, quality of life, the difficulty of physical activities, exercise adherence, satisfaction, and motivation of individuals with chronic neck pain (CNP). Patients were randomized into the telerehabilitation group (TRG) (n=15) and face-to-face exercise group (FFEG) (n=16). SSE was applied to both groups for 8 weeks, 3 days a week, 45 minutes. At the end of the treatment, improvements were found in neck functional level, pain intensity, disability, quality of life (QoL) and kinesiophobia, difficulties in physical activities, exercise satisfaction, adherence, motivation, and spinal muscle architecture, in both groups (p<0.05). There were no differences for QoL in emotional problems and state, social function in TRG; in physical health, emotional problems, energy-fatigue, and social function in FFEG (p>0.05). There was no difference in the thickness of the right Sternocleidomastiodeus in both groups, of the right Upper Trapezius, right Rectus Abdominis, Internal-External Oblique in TRG, and left Internal Oblique, right External Oblique in FFEG (p>0.05). There was a difference between the groups in favor of TRG in the functional level of back (p=0.04), and physical health in quality of life (p=0.03). However, there was no difference in the parameters of QoL other than physical health, pain intensity, disability, neck awareness, kinesiophobia, neck functional level, the difficulty of functional activity, and muscle architecture (p>0.05). Exercise adherence, motivation, and satisfaction in both groups were high, there was no difference between the groups (p>0.05). Telerehabilitation is a good alternative method that can be used in the exercise treatment of patients with CNP in cases where face-to-face rehabilitation cannot be applied. Keywords: Neck pain, disability, exercise, functional capacity level, muscle architecture, telerehabilitation, exercise adherence, exercise satisfaction, neck awareness.