Clinical outcomes of asynchronous telerehabilitation through a mobile app are equivalent to synchronous telerehabilitation in patients with fibromyalgia: a randomized control study

Abstract Background This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of exercise therapy delivered via a smartphone mobile app, using asynchronous video-based tools, with synchronous telerehabilitation models using videoconferencing for individuals with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Methods The research...

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Main Authors: Eren Timurtaş, İrem Hüzmeli, İlkşan Demirbüken, Mine Gülden Polat
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-02-01
Series:BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-025-08377-6
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author Eren Timurtaş
İrem Hüzmeli
İlkşan Demirbüken
Mine Gülden Polat
author_facet Eren Timurtaş
İrem Hüzmeli
İlkşan Demirbüken
Mine Gülden Polat
author_sort Eren Timurtaş
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of exercise therapy delivered via a smartphone mobile app, using asynchronous video-based tools, with synchronous telerehabilitation models using videoconferencing for individuals with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Methods The research, utilizing a randomized clinical study design, involves sixty-six FMS patients in an 8-week exercise program. Participants are divided into synchronous (n: 33) and asynchronous (n: 33) groups. Assessments, pain intensity (VAS), functional limitations (FIQr), health-related quality of life (SF 12), catastrophizing (PCS), anxiety and depression (HADS), functional capacity (6MWT), muscle strength (Arm curl test), and joint position sense (LI-RATT), are conducted at baseline, mid-treatment (week 4), end of treatment (week 8). Results No significant group-time interaction was found for total VAS, FIQ, SF 12, PCS, HADS, 6MWT, Arm curl tests, LI-RATT extension, LI-RATT flexion, LI-RATT right rotation scores (p > 0.05). Significant effects of time and interactions between groups and time were observed in the neck (p = 0.010, ES = 0.19) and back region (p = 0.039, ES = 0.19) of the Visual Analog Scale, left rotation score of the LI-RATT (p = 0.008, ES = 0.36), and HADS Anxiety Score (p = 0.029, ES = 0.31). Group differences were significant at all-time points for the outcomes (p < 0.001), except for the right rotation of LI-RATT (p = 0.633). Conclusion The study suggests that asynchronous telerehabilitation is comparable to synchronous methods in addressing pain, quality of life, and other factors in FMS patients. The asynchronous approach may offer advantages in reducing the burden on healthcare professionals and being cost-effective. Future research should explore diverse telerehabilitation protocols and their impact on overall care burdens. Trial registration NCT06299527 (01/03/2024).
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institution Kabale University
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spelling doaj-art-0879a25144d14ef5af65cdbfb677f46c2025-02-09T12:04:15ZengBMCBMC Musculoskeletal Disorders1471-24742025-02-0126111610.1186/s12891-025-08377-6Clinical outcomes of asynchronous telerehabilitation through a mobile app are equivalent to synchronous telerehabilitation in patients with fibromyalgia: a randomized control studyEren Timurtaş0İrem Hüzmeli1İlkşan Demirbüken2Mine Gülden Polat3Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Marmara UniversityDepartment of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Tayfur Ata Sökmen Campus, Faculty of Health Science, Hatay Mustafa Kemal UniversityDepartment of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Marmara UniversityDepartment of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Marmara UniversityAbstract Background This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of exercise therapy delivered via a smartphone mobile app, using asynchronous video-based tools, with synchronous telerehabilitation models using videoconferencing for individuals with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Methods The research, utilizing a randomized clinical study design, involves sixty-six FMS patients in an 8-week exercise program. Participants are divided into synchronous (n: 33) and asynchronous (n: 33) groups. Assessments, pain intensity (VAS), functional limitations (FIQr), health-related quality of life (SF 12), catastrophizing (PCS), anxiety and depression (HADS), functional capacity (6MWT), muscle strength (Arm curl test), and joint position sense (LI-RATT), are conducted at baseline, mid-treatment (week 4), end of treatment (week 8). Results No significant group-time interaction was found for total VAS, FIQ, SF 12, PCS, HADS, 6MWT, Arm curl tests, LI-RATT extension, LI-RATT flexion, LI-RATT right rotation scores (p > 0.05). Significant effects of time and interactions between groups and time were observed in the neck (p = 0.010, ES = 0.19) and back region (p = 0.039, ES = 0.19) of the Visual Analog Scale, left rotation score of the LI-RATT (p = 0.008, ES = 0.36), and HADS Anxiety Score (p = 0.029, ES = 0.31). Group differences were significant at all-time points for the outcomes (p < 0.001), except for the right rotation of LI-RATT (p = 0.633). Conclusion The study suggests that asynchronous telerehabilitation is comparable to synchronous methods in addressing pain, quality of life, and other factors in FMS patients. The asynchronous approach may offer advantages in reducing the burden on healthcare professionals and being cost-effective. Future research should explore diverse telerehabilitation protocols and their impact on overall care burdens. Trial registration NCT06299527 (01/03/2024).https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-025-08377-6FibromyalgiaExerciseTelerehabilitationMobile healthTelemedicine
spellingShingle Eren Timurtaş
İrem Hüzmeli
İlkşan Demirbüken
Mine Gülden Polat
Clinical outcomes of asynchronous telerehabilitation through a mobile app are equivalent to synchronous telerehabilitation in patients with fibromyalgia: a randomized control study
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
Fibromyalgia
Exercise
Telerehabilitation
Mobile health
Telemedicine
title Clinical outcomes of asynchronous telerehabilitation through a mobile app are equivalent to synchronous telerehabilitation in patients with fibromyalgia: a randomized control study
title_full Clinical outcomes of asynchronous telerehabilitation through a mobile app are equivalent to synchronous telerehabilitation in patients with fibromyalgia: a randomized control study
title_fullStr Clinical outcomes of asynchronous telerehabilitation through a mobile app are equivalent to synchronous telerehabilitation in patients with fibromyalgia: a randomized control study
title_full_unstemmed Clinical outcomes of asynchronous telerehabilitation through a mobile app are equivalent to synchronous telerehabilitation in patients with fibromyalgia: a randomized control study
title_short Clinical outcomes of asynchronous telerehabilitation through a mobile app are equivalent to synchronous telerehabilitation in patients with fibromyalgia: a randomized control study
title_sort clinical outcomes of asynchronous telerehabilitation through a mobile app are equivalent to synchronous telerehabilitation in patients with fibromyalgia a randomized control study
topic Fibromyalgia
Exercise
Telerehabilitation
Mobile health
Telemedicine
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-025-08377-6
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