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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07501910

Telerehabilitation Program in Lumbar Disc Herniation

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Lumbar Disc Herniation Bone Diseases Hernia Intervertebral Disc Displacement Musculoskeletal Diseases Pathological Conditions, Anatomical Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Spinal Diseases

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Necmettin Erbakan University

Konya, Meram, 42090, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Aged between 18 and 65 years
  • Diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation by a specialist physician
  • Presence of bulging or protrusion stage lumbar disc herniation
  • Willing to participate and provide informed consent
  • Having basic smartphone or computer skills and access to the internet (for the telerehabilitation group

Exclusion criteria

  • History of spinal surgery
  • Presence of extruded or sequestered lumbar disc herniation
  • Visual or hearing impairment that may affect participation
  • Presence of spinal tumors
  • Communication or cognitive problems preventing participation
  • Inability to understand Turkish

Treatment and study plan

Web-Based Telerehabilitation Exercise Program

Other

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.

Brochure-Based Home Exercise Program

Other

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.

Primary outcomes

  1. Pain intensity assessed by Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

    Time frame: Baseline and after 4 weeks

    Pain intensity assessed by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

    Pain intensity measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), a 10-cm scale ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain. Higher scores represent greater pain severity. The assessment includes overall pain, pain at rest, pain during activity, and night pain.

    [Time Frame: Baseline and after 4 weeks]Pain intensity measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), a 10-cm scale ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain. Higher scores represent greater pain severity. The assessment includes overall pain, pain at rest, pain during activity, and night pain.

  2. Functional disability (ODI)

    Time frame: Baseline and after 4 weeks

    Functional disability assessed by the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)

    Functional disability measured using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), a questionnaire consisting of 10 items scored from 0 to 5, with a total score ranging from 0 to 50. Higher scores indicate greater disability.

  3. Quality of life (SF-12)

    Time frame: Baseline and after 4 weeks

    Quality of life assessed by the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12)

    Quality of life measured using the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), which generates physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component summary scores ranging from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate better health-related quality of life.

  4. Static trunk muscle endurance

    Time frame: Baseline and after 4 weeks

    Static trunk muscle endurance assessed using Diener's trunk muscle test

    Static trunk muscle endurance measured using Diener's (1992) trunk muscle test, expressed as the duration (seconds) the participant maintains the trunk flexion position until the inferior angle of the scapula lifts off the surface. The maximum score is 30 seconds. Higher values indicate greater trunk muscle endurance.

  5. Dynamic trunk muscle endurance

    Time frame: Baseline and after 4 weeks

    Dynamic trunk muscle endurance assessed using Diener's trunk muscle test

    Dynamic trunk muscle endurance measured using Diener's (1992) trunk muscle test, expressed as the number of complete trunk flexion repetitions performed within 30 seconds. Higher values indicate greater trunk muscle endurance.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Necmettin Erbakan University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

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

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Mar 30, 2026
Registry last updated
Mar 30, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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