Long-term impact of self-mobilization via telerehabilitation vs. manual therapy and home exercise on pain and function in cervical degenerative disease

Abstract

Purpose: Cervical Degenerative Disease (CDD) commonly leads to neck pain, functional impairment, and reduced quality of life. This study aimed to compare the long-term effects of home exercise, manual therapy, and telerehabilitation-assisted treatment on pain, functionality, and patient satisfaction in individuals with CDD. Patients and methods: Sixty-six patients diagnosed with CDD were randomly assigned to three groups: home exercise (n = 23), manual therapy (n = 22), and telerehabilitation (n = 21). All groups participated in an 8-week exercise program, with the manual therapy and telerehabilitation groups receiving additional sessions twice a week. Pain was measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), pain threshold with an algometer, neck function with the Neck Disability Index and range of motion (ROM), and patient satisfaction with the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire-18. Results: All groups significantly improved pain, function, and ROM over time (p < 0.05). But there were no significant differences between groups at the 6-month follow-up. Manual therapy and telerehabilitation significantly enhanced patient satisfaction, particularly in communication and technical quality (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Home exercise, manual therapy, and telerehabilitation improve long-term outcomes in CDD. Manual therapy and telerehabilitation provide greater patient satisfaction, making them viable options for long-term management. Telerehabilitation can be used as an alternative when necessary.