NCT07501910

Telerehabilitation Program in Lumbar Disc Herniation

Development of a Telerehabilitation-Based Exercise and Monitoring Program and Its Effectiveness Compared With a Brochure-Based Home Exercise Program in Patients With Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 46 (actual)
• Sponsor: Necmettin Erbakan University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

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.

Detailed 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.

Conditions

• Lumbar Disc Herniation

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Web-Based Telerehabilitation Exercise Program	Participants performed a structured home exercise program delivered through a web-based telerehabilitation platform. The program included video-guided exercises, written instructions, and asynchronous remote monitoring. Participants recorded their exercise sessions, and physiotherapists monitored adherence and provided feedback through the digital system. The intervention was conducted for 4 weeks, 3 days per week, with 3 sets of 10 repetitions for each exercise.
OTHER	Brochure-Based Home Exercise Program	Participants performed the same structured home exercise program using printed brochures that included visual and written instructions. Exercises were initially demonstrated face-to-face, and participants continued independently at home without remote monitoring. The program was applied for 4 weeks, 3 days per week, with 3 sets of 10 repetitions for each exercise.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-05-01
• Primary completion: 2024-06-01
• Completion: 2024-09-01
• First posted: 2026-03-30
• Last updated: 2026-03-30

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)