Telemedicine for Nonspecific Neck Pain

NCT06818422 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: Antalya EAH, Antalya ŞH
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 68
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 3

Brief Summary

Brief Summary Neck pain is a common global health issue, often classified as nonspecific neck pain when no specific cause is identified. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of telemedicine (which involves providing home exercises and recommendations through pre-recorded exercise videos and remote follow-up) versus conventional care (which involves providing home exercises and recommendations through informational brochures and in-person follow-ups) for patients with nonspecific neck pain. Participants will be randomly assigned to either group. The primary outcomes are pain intensity (VAS) and neck function (NDI), with secondary outcomes including exercise adherence, patient satisfaction, and time and distance spent for in-patient follow-ups. The study hypothesizes that telemedicine will result in greater pain reduction, improved neck function, and higher patient satisfaction due to the convenience and accessibility of video-based exercises. If proven effective, telemedicine could reduce hospital crowding, minimize infection risks, save time and money, and reduce environmental impacts, making it a valuable tool in non-serious pathologies and during events like pandemics.

Conditions

Neck Pain; Exercise; Telemedicine

Keywords

neck pain; home exercise; telemedicine; teleexercise

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Pain intensity

  Pain intensity will be measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Minimum value is 0 (no pain), maximum value is 10 (most imaginable pain).

  Baseline, 15th day, 30th day and 3rd month

• Neck function

  Neck function will be assessed using the Neck Disability Index (NDI). Minimum value is 0 (no disability), maximum value is 50 (maximum disability).

  Baseline and 3rd month

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Adherence to the exercise program

  15th day

• Patient satisfaction

  3rd month

• Transportation distance

  Baseline

• The time spent

  Baseline

Study Arms (2)

Telemedicine Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Patients will receive pre-recorded neck exercise and educational videos sent to their phones by the physician. They will follow the exercise routine at home three times a day for 2 weeks, based on the provided videos. They will mark the exercise diary given to them when they do their exercises. They will be advised to continue exercise program for 3 months. Additionally, the physician will conduct video calls to monitor their pain levels and offer support at the 15th day, 30th day and the 3rd month of the study.

Other: Home exercise and recommendations for nonspecific neck pain

Conventional Follow-up Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Patients will receive an exercise brochure and a brochure with educational recommendations given by a physician face-to-face in the clinic. These patients will follow the exercise routine at home three times a day for 2 weeks, based on the provided brochures. They will mark the exercise diary given to them when they do their exercises. They will also be advised to continue exercises for 3 months. They will be come to clinic check-ups to monitor pain intensity and provide support at the 15th day, 30th day and the 3rd month of the study.

Other: Home exercise and recommendations for nonspecific neck pain

Interventions

Home exercise and recommendations for nonspecific neck pain OTHER

The intervention involves neck exercises and recommendations for nonspecific neck pain. Patients will perform the exercises at home three times a day for 2 weeks and record their progress in an exercise diary. They will be monitored by a physician for pain levels and receive additional support at the 15th day, 30th day and 3rd months.

Conventional Follow-up Group; Telemedicine Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Non-specific neck pain for at least 3 months (neck pain without a specific underlying cause such as infection, tumor, osteoporosis, fracture, structural deformity, inflammatory disorder or radicular symptoms)
• Clinical and/or radiological presence of one of the following diagnoses: cervicalgia, cervical flattening, cervical arthrosis, cervical discopathy
• Able to understand and apply the given exercises; literate and therefore able to read and interpret the given brochure; familiar with smartphones, tablets and computers, able to use them easily, able to open and watch sent videos, have internet access

You may not qualify if:

• Having a cognitive disorder
• Red flag findings indicating serious pathology, recent trauma to the neck region, fracture, lysis, listhesis, spinal mass and malignancy, syringomyelia, presence of canal stenosis
• Having undergone surgery in the cervical region
• Having received injections to the neck and back region in the last 3 months
• Having received physical therapy or home exercise recommendations in the same hospital or in another center in the last 3 months
• Not having their own smartphone or smart tablet and/or uninterrupted internet access
• Having a visual impairment
• Having an upper extremity amputation
• Having advanced cancer, receiving cancer treatment
• Having complicated diabetes

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Antalya Training and Research Hospital: lead

Study Sites (3)

Selkin Yılmaz Muluk

Antalya, 07040, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Antalya City Hospital

Antalya, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Antalya Training and Research Hospital

Antalya, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (6)

• Fandim JV, Nitzsche R, Michaleff ZA, Pena Costa LO, Saragiotto B. The contemporary management of neck pain in adults. Pain Manag. 2021 Jan;11(1):75-87. doi: 10.2217/pmt-2020-0046. Epub 2020 Nov 25.

  PMID: 33234017 BACKGROUND

• Childs JD, Cleland JA, Elliott JM, Teyhen DS, Wainner RS, Whitman JM, Sopky BJ, Godges JJ, Flynn TW; American Physical Therapy Association. Neck pain: Clinical practice guidelines linked to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health from the Orthopedic Section of the American Physical Therapy Association. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2008 Sep;38(9):A1-A34. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2008.0303. Epub 2008 Sep 1.

  PMID: 18758050 BACKGROUND

• Guzman J, Hurwitz EL, Carroll LJ, Haldeman S, Cote P, Carragee EJ, Peloso PM, van der Velde G, Holm LW, Hogg-Johnson S, Nordin M, Cassidy JD. A new conceptual model of neck pain: linking onset, course, and care: the Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2009 Feb;32(2 Suppl):S17-28. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2008.11.007.

  PMID: 19251062 BACKGROUND

• Bier JD, Scholten-Peeters WGM, Staal JB, Pool J, van Tulder MW, Beekman E, Knoop J, Meerhoff G, Verhagen AP. Clinical Practice Guideline for Physical Therapy Assessment and Treatment in Patients With Nonspecific Neck Pain. Phys Ther. 2018 Mar 1;98(3):162-171. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzx118.

  PMID: 29228289 BACKGROUND

• Corp N, Mansell G, Stynes S, Wynne-Jones G, Morso L, Hill JC, van der Windt DA. Evidence-based treatment recommendations for neck and low back pain across Europe: A systematic review of guidelines. Eur J Pain. 2021 Feb;25(2):275-295. doi: 10.1002/ejp.1679. Epub 2020 Nov 12.

  PMID: 33064878 BACKGROUND

• Swenson RS. Therapeutic modalities in the management of nonspecific neck pain. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2003 Aug;14(3):605-27. doi: 10.1016/s1047-9651(03)00038-x.

  PMID: 12948344 BACKGROUND

Related Links

• Neck exercises
• Neck exercises
• Neck exercises

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Neck Pain; Motor Activity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Behavior

Study Officials

• Selkin Yılmaz Muluk, MD

  Antalya Training and Research Hospital, Antalya City Hospital

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Participants will be unaware of the procedures used in the other group. Additionally, the outcome assessor will be blinded to group assignments during the statistical analysis to prevent bias.
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER GOV
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: randomized controlled clinical study

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 5, 2025
• First Posted: February 10, 2025
• Study Start: February 10, 2025
• Primary Completion: June 13, 2025
• Study Completion: June 15, 2025
• Last Updated: June 22, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL
• Time Frame: I plan to share the study protocol with the public once it has received the necessary approvals from the relevant authorities.
• Access Criteria: Access to the study protocol will be granted to individuals and organizations interested in our research, subject to the approval of the relevant ethical and regulatory bodies. This includes researchers, healthcare professionals, and members of the public who seek to understand the study's objectives and methodology

Locations

TU (3)