Telerehabilitation Program in Lumbar Disc Herniation

Necmettin Erbakan University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Lumbar Disc Herniation

Treatments: Other: Web-Based Telerehabilitation Exercise Program; Other: Brochure-Based Home Exercise Program

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07501910

24YL30002 (Other Grant/Funding Number)

NEU-PT2025-05

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of this study was to develop an asynchronous, web-based telerehabilitation exercise and monitoring program and to compare its effectiveness with a traditional brochure-based home exercise program in patients with lumbar disc herniation. The study was designed as a randomized controlled trial including 46 participants who were allocated into two groups: a telerehabilitation group and a brochure-based exercise group.

Both groups participated in a structured 4-week home exercise program. The telerehabilitation group received exercise guidance and follow-up through a web-based digital platform, which enabled remote monitoring of exercise adherence and patient-reported outcomes. The brochure group performed the same exercises using printed instructional materials.

Participants were evaluated before and after the intervention using standardized and validated assessment tools, including the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for functional disability, the SF-12 for quality of life, and tests for static and dynamic lumbar muscle strength and endurance.

Full description

his study is a randomized controlled clinical trial designed to compare two different delivery methods of a home-based exercise program in patients diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation. The primary focus of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a web-based telerehabilitation exercise and monitoring program compared with a traditional brochure-based home exercise program.

A total of 46 eligible participants are randomly assigned into two groups: a telerehabilitation group and a brochure-based exercise group. Both groups follow the same structured home exercise program for a duration of four weeks, consisting of standardized exercises performed three times per week.

Participants in the telerehabilitation group access exercise instructions through a web-based digital platform that includes video demonstrations, written guidance, and remote monitoring features. The platform allows participants to record their exercise sessions and enables physiotherapists to monitor adherence and provide feedback when necessary. The intervention is delivered asynchronously, without real-time interaction.

Participants in the brochure group receive printed materials containing the same exercises, including visual and written instructions. Initial instruction is provided face-to-face, after which participants continue the exercise program independently at home.

Outcome assessments are conducted before and after the intervention by a physiotherapist who is blinded to group allocation. Evaluations include pain intensity, functional disability, quality of life, and lumbar muscle strength and endurance, using standardized and validated measurement tools.

Enrollment: 46 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Aged between 18 and 65 years
• Diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation by a specialist physician
• Presence of bulging or protrusion stage lumbar disc herniation
• Willing to participate and provide informed consent
• Having basic smartphone or computer skills and access to the internet (for the telerehabilitation group

Exclusion criteria

• History of spinal surgery
• Presence of extruded or sequestered lumbar disc herniation
• Visual or hearing impairment that may affect participation
• Presence of spinal tumors
• Communication or cognitive problems preventing participation
• Inability to understand Turkish

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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46 participants in 2 patient groups

Telerehabilitation Group

Experimental group

Description:

Participants received a web-based telerehabilitation exercise and monitoring program including video-guided exercises, remote monitoring of adherence, and asynchronous follow-up via a digital platform.

Treatment:

Other: Web-Based Telerehabilitation Exercise Program

Brochure Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants received a brochure-based home exercise program including printed instructions and visual materials, with initial face-to-face instruction and no remote monitoring.

Treatment:

Other: Brochure-Based Home Exercise Program