Comparison of Traditional, Synchronous, and Asynchronous Telerehabilitation in Office Workers With Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain

NCT07700589 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: TUBITAK-1919B012522773
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 45
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain (NLBP) is a common condition that occurs without a specific underlying pathology, resulting in muscle tension, pain, and a decreased quality of life. Office workers are particularly at risk due to prolonged sitting, ergonomic errors, and low physical activity. While exercise therapy is a primary approach for management, low adherence rates often limit its effectiveness. Telerehabilitation (remote, technology-supported physiotherapy) stands out for its potential to increase access and support continuity of care. This study is a randomized controlled trial that will be conducted with 45 office workers aged 18-65 diagnosed with chronic NLBP. Participants will be randomly assigned to three parallel groups: traditional exercise (brochure-based), synchronous telerehabilitation (live sessions), and asynchronous telerehabilitation (pre-recorded videos). The intervention protocol will be implemented for 8 weeks. Evaluations will be performed before and after the 8-week period using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain intensity, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for functional disability, Short Form-36 (SF-36) for health-related quality of life, and a Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of traditional, synchronous, and asynchronous telerehabilitation approaches on pain, disability, quality of life, and satisfaction to determine the most effective management model for office workers with chronic nonspecific low back pain.

Conditions

Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain; Low Back Pain

Keywords

Low Back Pain; Telerehabilitation; Exercise Therapy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Functional Disability Level

  Evaluated using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) to measure functional disability related to low back pain. The questionnaire consists of 10 items, and the total score is expressed as a percentage ranging from 0% to 100%. A score of 0% indicates no disability, while 100% represents the highest possible level of functional disability. Higher percentages mean a worse functional outcome.

  Baseline and Post-intervention (Week 8)

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Health-Related Quality of Life

  Baseline and Post-intervention (Week 8)

• Pain Intensity Assessed via Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

  Baseline and Post-intervention (Week 8)

• Patient Satisfaction

  Post-intervention (Week 8)

Study Arms (3)

Traditional Exercise Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants will receive a standard physiotherapy program including stretching, core stabilization, and motor control exercises for low back pain, delivered face-to-face by a physiotherapist in a clinical environment at Istanbul Aydın University

Behavioral: Face-to-Face Clinic-Based Exercise

Synchronous Telerehabilitation Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will participate in the same exercise program (stretching, core stabilization, and motor control exercises) via live, real-time online video sessions supervised by a physiotherapist.

Behavioral: Synchronous Telerehabilitation Exercise

Asynchronous Telerehabilitation Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will be provided with pre-recorded instructional exercise videos containing the same program. They will follow and perform the exercises individually at their own convenience.

Behavioral: Asynchronous Telerehabilitation Exercise

Interventions

Face-to-Face Clinic-Based Exercise BEHAVIORAL

The exercise protocol consists of stretching, core stabilization, and motor control exercises for low back pain. Frequency: Performed 3 days a week for 8 weeks, consisting of 2 sets of 10 repetitions (approximately 45-60 minutes per session). It will be delivered face-to-face by a physiotherapist in a clinical environment at Istanbul Aydin University.

Traditional Exercise Group

Synchronous Telerehabilitation Exercise BEHAVIORAL

The exercise protocol consists of stretching, core stabilization, and motor control exercises for low back pain. Frequency: Performed 3 days a week for 8 weeks, consisting of 2 sets of 10 repetitions (approximately 45-60 minutes per session). It will be delivered via live, real-time online video sessions supervised by a physiotherapist.

Synchronous Telerehabilitation Group

Asynchronous Telerehabilitation Exercise BEHAVIORAL

The exercise protocol consists of stretching, core stabilization, and motor control exercises for low back pain. Frequency: Performed 3 days a week for 8 weeks, consisting of 2 sets of 10 repetitions (approximately 45-60 minutes per session). Participants will be provided with pre-recorded instructional exercise videos and follow the exercises individually at their own convenience.

Asynchronous Telerehabilitation Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Being an office worker aged between 18 and 65 years.
• Diagnosed with chronic non-specific low back pain (symptoms persisting for more than 3 months).
• Volunteering to participate in the study and signing the informed consent form.
• Having a computer, smartphone, or tablet with a stable internet connection capable of supporting video calls.

You may not qualify if:

• \- History of spinal surgery, structural spinal deformities (e.g., severe scoliosis), or specific causes of low back pain (e.g., disc herniation with severe radiculopathy, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis).
• Diagnosis of systemic, rheumatological, neurological, or inflammatory diseases affecting the musculoskeletal system.
• Serious cardiovascular or pulmonary conditions that contraindicate physical exercise.
• Currently receiving active physical therapy or regular medical intervention for low back pain elsewhere.
• Pregnancy.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istanbul Aydın University: lead
• The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Istanbul Aydin University, Faculty of Health Sciences

Istanbul, 34295, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Low Back Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Central Study Contacts

Özge Mine YILMAZ, Ass Prof

CONTACT

+90 5075091175; ozgemineyilmaz@aydin.edu.tr

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: Ass Prof (Project Coordinator)

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 6, 2026
• First Posted: July 14, 2026
• Study Start: August 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): November 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2026
• Last Updated: July 14, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)