Comparison of muscular strength and endurance, functional performance and balance assessments of patients with chronic low back pain using face-to-face and tele-assessment methods

Erduranlı, C.A. (2024). Comparıson Of Muscular Strength And Endurance, Functıonal Performance And Balance Assessments Of Patıents Wıth Chronıc Low Back Paın Usıng Face-To-Face And Tele-Assessment Methods, Master's Thesis, Istanbul Atlas University Graduate School of Postgraduate Education, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Istanbul. The study, which we conducted to investigate the validity and reliability of the tele-assessment method in people with chronic low back pain, included 40 individuals aged 25-65 years with chronic low back pain. Participants were randomly assigned to 2 assessment sessions, face-to-face and tele-assessment, at 3-week intervals. The tests common to both face-to-face and tele-assessment methods were static muscular strength and endurance test (SKKET) and dynamic muscular strength and endurance test (DKKET) for the evaluation of muscular strength and endurance, 30-second sit and stand test (30-second SST) and 5 times sit and stand test (5 times SST) for the evaluation of functional performance, four step square test (FSST) and timed stand and walk test (SDWT) for the evaluation of balance. Oswestry disability index (OOI) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were used as indices and scales applied in face-to-face assessment method. As a result of the evaluation, SEM=0.92, SEM95%=1.80, SDC95%=4.99 with CCT (ICC=0.994); SEM=0.83, SEM95%=1.63, SDC95%=4.52 with CCT (ICC=0.978); SEM=0.27, SEM95%=0.53, SDC95%=1.47 with 30 seconds OCT (ICC=0.950); 5 times OCT (ICC=0.986) with SEM=0.24, SEM95%=0.47, SDC95%=1.30; DAKT (ICC=0.986) with SEM=0.71, SEM95%=1.40, SDC95%=3.88 and SKYT (ICC=0.986) with SEM=0.54, SEM95%=1.06, SDC95%=2.94. In conclusion, according to the data obtained, tele-assessment method is an alternative and practical assessment method to face-to-face assessment method. Future studies are recommended to investigate the inter-rater reliability of the static muscular strength and endurance test, dynamic muscular strength and endurance test, 30 seconds sit and stand test, 5 times sit and stand test, four step square test and timed stand and walk test when used with tele-assessment in individuals with chronic low back pain.