Comparison of Mobile Health-Based Exercise vs Traditional Exercise for Chronic Neck Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of mobile health (mHealth) exercise interventions in comparison to traditional exercise methods (exercises guided offline by a rehabilitation therapist or performed independently according to the instruction manual) for relieving pain intensity, decreasing functional disability, and improving the overall quality of life for individuals suffering from Chronic Neck Pain (CNP).

METHODS

A systematic search was performed to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published from their inception until December 25, 2024, across multiple databases, such as Cochrane, Embase, Medline, and Web of Science. Data extraction was carried out independently by pairs of reviewers, who also evaluated bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool.

RESULTS

In total, six studies were identified, encompassing 381 participants with an average age of 41.17±11.72 years. No statistically significant differences were observed in pain relief when comparing mHealth-based exercise to traditional exercise methods that did not incorporate mHealth (standard mean difference [SMD]=-0.31; 95% CI: -0.73 to 0.12, P=0.16). Additionally, there were no significant differences concerning functional disability (SMD=-0.33; 95% CI: -0.68 to 0.02; P=0.06) or quality of life (SMD=0.19; 95% CI: -0.19 to 0.56; P=0.34). Conversely, a significant difference was noted when comparing mHealth-supported exercise to unsupervised traditional exercise regarding pain alleviation (SMD=-0.76; 95% CI: -1.06 to -0.45; <0.001) and functional disability (SMD=-0.66; 95% CI: -1.01 to -0.32; <0.001).

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that exercise facilitated by mHealth is more effective than traditional unsupervised exercise in preventing pain and enhancing functional capabilities in young and middle-aged patients experiencing chronic non-specific neck pain. Traditional exercise can serve as a foundational intervention for the rehabilitation of non-specific neck pain, while mobile health-assisted exercise offers a feasible alternative in situations where offline interventions are limited. This approach enhances the accessibility and coverage of rehabilitation services.