Multimodal Telerehabilitation Versus Face-to-Face Care for Adults With Hemophilia and Chronic Pain

Chronic pain affects nearly half of adults with hemophilia and is associated with impaired physical function, kinesiophobia, reduced self-efficacy, and poorer quality of life. Recurrent joint bleeding and hemophilic arthropathy contribute to persistent pain and disability, highlighting the need for accessible and effective rehabilitation strategies.

Pain science education (PSE) is an educational intervention designed to improve understanding of the biological and psychosocial mechanisms underlying persistent pain, reduce pain-related threat, and promote adaptive health behaviors. When combined with exercise therapy, PSE has demonstrated beneficial effects in individuals with chronic musculoskeletal disorders. However, evidence supporting its use in people with hemophilia is scarce.

Telerehabilitation has emerged as a promising strategy to improve access to rehabilitation services by reducing travel burden and geographical barriers while maintaining treatment adherence. Although previous studies suggest that telerehabilitation may provide outcomes comparable to conventional rehabilitation in several musculoskeletal conditions, no randomized controlled trial has compared multimodal pain science education plus exercise delivered by telerehabilitation with an equivalent face-to-face program in adults with hemophilia and chronic pain.

This study is a single-center, randomized, assessor-blinded, parallel-group non-inferiority trial. Participants will be randomly allocated (1:1) to receive either a 6-week telerehabilitation program or an equivalent face-to-face program. Both groups will receive the same educational content and exercise protocol, differing only in the mode of delivery.

The primary objective is to determine whether multimodal telerehabilitation is non-inferior to face-to-face rehabilitation in reducing pain intensity and improving pain sensitivity. Secondary objectives include evaluating changes in kinesiophobia, self-efficacy, joint health, functional performance, and patient-perceived improvement.

The results of this trial will provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of multimodal telerehabilitation for adults with hemophilia and may support the implementation of accessible rehabilitation models in clinical practice.

Inclusion criteria

Male adults aged 18 to 60 years. Diagnosis of hemophilia A or hemophilia B. Chronic pain, defined as pain occurring every day for at least 3 months or on at least half of the days during the previous 6 months.

Pain involving the elbow, knee, or ankle. Receiving prophylactic clotting factor replacement therapy at least three times per week.

Current medical referral for physical therapy. Residence in the Metropolitan Region of Chile. Ability to understand study procedures and provide written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

Inability to understand study instructions or provide written informed consent. Neurological disorders affecting the central nervous system (e.g., stroke). Current participation in alternative therapies for pain management. Previous participation in a pain neuroscience education program. Orthopedic surgery or major musculoskeletal trauma within the previous 12 months.