Effects of Tele-rehabilitation Versus Supervised Rehabilitation Among Computer Users With Non-specific Neck Pain

NCT07556705 | Not Yet Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: UBAS/ERB/26/04/033
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 62
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

The current study is a single-blinded, two-arm parallel-group randomized controlled trial involving 62 participants with non-specific neck pain among computer users. The trial aims to compare the effects of tele-rehabilitation and supervised rehabilitation on neck pain, disability, and exercise adherence. Both groups will receive the same structured exercise program along with postural correction instructions. The tele-rehabilitation group will perform exercises remotely with digital guidance, reminders, and follow-ups, while the supervised group will receive in-clinic physiotherapy sessions under professional supervision. Interventions will be carried out three times per week for a duration of six weeks, with each session lasting approximately 40 minutes. Outcome measures will include neck pain (VAS), neck disability (NDI), and exercise adherence (ATEMPT tool).Assessments will be conducted at baseline and at the end of treatment at 8th week.The study will be conducted at the Physical Therapy Department of Sehat Medical Complex Lake City, and the University of Lahore Teaching Hospital. The hypothesis is that tele-rehabilitation will be more effective than supervised rehabilitation in reducing neck pain and disability, and may result in better exercise adherence due to its convenience and accessibility.

Conditions

Non Specific Neck Pain

Keywords

Neck pain; Telerehabilitation; Supervised exercise therapy; Computer users; Exercise adherence; Musculoskeletal pain assessment tool

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Neck Pain

  Neck pain will be assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS). The VAS, widely regarded as one of the most reliable and validated methods for self-reporting pain intensity, uses a 10 cm horizontal line. On this scale, 0 cm indicates "no pain," while 10 cm represents "worst pain".

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Disability

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks

• Exercise Adherence

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Telerehabilitation Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in the tele-rehabilitation group will receive exercise reminders and instructions digitally via WhatsApp reminders.

Other: Neck and upper back strengthening exercises by Tele-rehabilitation Intervention

Supervised Rehabilitation Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in the Supervised Rehabilitation group will receive the same protocol as the tele-rehabilitation group in the clinic under the supervision of a physiotherapist.

Other: Neck and upper back strengthening by Supervised Rehabilitation Intervention

Interventions

Neck and upper back strengthening exercises by Tele-rehabilitation Intervention OTHER

Interventions (Postural Awareness, Neck and Upper Back strengthening exercises via Whatsapp reminders).Although both neck and upper back strengthening exercises have demonstrated potential effects individually, there is a paucity of research evaluating their combined effects. A structured program combining both exercises may produce improvements in pain, disability and greater exercise adherence rates when delivered digitally.

Telerehabilitation Group

Neck and upper back strengthening by Supervised Rehabilitation Intervention OTHER

Interventions ((Postural Awareness, Neck and Upper Back strengthening exercises under supervision) Participants in this group will receive the same 40 -minute session consisting of same exercises as the tele-rehabilitation group in the clinic under the supervision of a physiotherapist.

Supervised Rehabilitation Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Age 18-35 years.
• Neck pain that worsens with movement in at-least one direction
• Computer users with neck pain for at-least 12 weeks
• Neck pain with Visual Analog score of 3 to 8 out of 10
• Participants with forward head posture (FHP)
• Working \>35h per week at a desk or computer in a sedentary manner

You may not qualify if:

• Individuals with any neurological or vascular disease
• A history of shoulder or spine injuries or surgeries
• Participants with history of regular participation or training programs
• Participants with body mass index over 30
• Participants having undergone physical therapy or other medical treatments for neck pain in the previous 6 months

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Neck Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Study Officials

• Muhammad Tariq Rafiq, PhD

  Lahore University of Biological & Applied Sciences

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Ammara Shamoon, MSPT

CONTACT

03000089740; MSPT243030@ubas.edu.pk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 22, 2026
• First Posted: April 29, 2026
• Study Start: May 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Last Updated: April 29, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ICF, CSR
• Time Frame: It will be available after the completion of the study.
• Access Criteria: Through the corresponding author.