title: Home-Based Telemedicine in Patients with Chronic Neck Pain.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate if a structured physician-directed, nurse-managed, home-based telemedicine (HBT) program, consisting of scheduled/unscheduled phone surveillance, can reduce pain in patients with chronic neck pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a prospective randomized controlled study conducted on outpatients. Following outpatient rehabilitation, patients (n = 100) were consecutively randomized to a 6-month HBT program (HBT group) or no HBT but only the recommendation to continue exercising at home (control group). At baseline and after 6 months, pain severity (visual analog scale) and disability (Neck Disability Index) were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 6 months, neck pain and disability declined in both groups (P < 0.001 for both groups, both parameters), but the decline was significantly more marked in the HBT group (P = 0.001, both parameters). At 6 months, 87.2% of HBT patients and 65.9% of control subjects were performing home exercises (in the range of 2-7 exercise sessions/wk). Pain and disability scores were correlated to participation in the HBT program, patients' perception of HBT, and adherence to home exercises.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Home-based telemedicine may be a useful additional tool to help physicians in the management of chronic neck pain.
authors: From the Operative Unit for Recovery and Functional Rehabilitation (BG, TE, SF), Telemedicine Service (DB, PB, SS), and Health Directorate (LC), Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, IRCCS, Institute of Lumezzane, Brescia, Italy.
authors: Bernardo
authors: B
authors: Gialanella
authors: Teresa
authors: T
authors: Ettori
authors: Sabrina
authors: S
authors: Faustini
authors: Doriana
authors: D
authors: Baratti
authors: Palmira
authors: P
authors: Bernocchi
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Comini
authors: Simonetta
authors: S
authors: Scalvini
mesh_terms: D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D018575:Home Care Services, Hospital-Based; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017216:Telemedicine; D064232:Visual Analog Scale