Effects of Telerehabilitation-Based Interventions on the Musculoskeletal System in Drivers

This study is designed to examine the effect of telerehabilitation application on the musculoskeletal system of drivers.The study will include 40 voluntary participants who work as drivers on inter-district routes in Sakarya. The participants' sociodemographic information, musculoskeletal problems, and postures will be assessed. Participants will be divided into two groups: one group will receive tele-rehabilitation with posture and stabilization exercises, while the other group will serve as the control group. The exercises will be implemented for 10 weeks, followed by an 8-week tapering period, after which the groups will be crossed over. A re-evaluation will be conducted after 10 weeks, with follow-up assessments scheduled for 3 months later.

The aim of the research is to investigate the effectiveness of telerehabilitation-based interventions in the management and improvement of common musculoskeletal disorders prevalent among drivers. This study will longitudinally examine the potential effects of developing and implementing customized posture and stabilization exercise programs for reducing posture and musculoskeletal disorders in drivers. The goal is to provide evidence of the effectiveness of telerehabilitation applications on the musculoskeletal health of drivers.

The study plans to involve 40 male volunteers aged 30-65 engaged in inter-district driving in Sakarya. Inclusion criteria for the study include working as an inter-district driver, driving a vehicle for at least 6 hours per day for a minimum of one year, and the ability to use at least one of the WhatsApp, Zoom, or Teams applications. Exclusion criteria include undergoing orthopedic surgery in the past year and a lack of consent to participate in the study. Within the scope of the study, sociodemographic information will be collected from all participants, their postures will be assessed using the "posture screen" application, and musculoskeletal problems will be evaluated using the "Cornell Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire."

At the end of the assessment, participants will be divided into two groups using the layered randomization method. The intervention group will receive posture and stabilization exercises through telerehabilitation via WhatsApp, Zoom, or Teams applications for 45 minutes per day, five days a week, for 10 weeks. General advice will be given to both groups, but no exercise program will be provided to the control group. After 10 weeks, the same assessments will be conducted for both the control and intervention groups. Subsequently, an 8-week tapering period will be expected, followed by the crossover of the groups. Those initially in the intervention group will form the control group, and vice versa.

After 10 weeks of training, the same assessments will be conducted again, and following this assessment, a final evaluation will be conducted 3 months later to complete the follow-up.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Individuals working as drivers in intercity minibuses in Sakarya.
* Those who have been working as drivers for at least one year.
* Age between 30 and 65.
* Male gender.
* Those who can use a smartphone.
* Those who can use at least one of the following applications: WhatsApp, Zoom, or Teams.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Orthopedic surgeries undergone within the past year.
* Inability to obtain consent to participate in the study.