Effects of Telemonitoring-supported Game-based Home Exercises in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

In order to cope with pain, improve quality of life and prevent kinesiophobia in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, most of the physiotherapy approaches used so far are standard.

However, nowadays, it has been observed that participation in treatment has increased with game-based exercises instead of standard physiotherapy. In addition, remote monitoring applications made it possible to perform physiotherapy programs, which are an integral part of the treatment in children with JIA, who is difficult to reach the clinic due to reasons such school schedule and living area, through remote monitoring. This project aimed to investigate the effects of telemonitoring-supported game-based home exercise programs on pain, kinesiophobia and quality of life.

The original aspect of our project is to include telemonitoring-supported game-based home exercise programs as an alternative physiotherapy program in children with JIA. Its contribution to clinical practice is to change the perspective of physiotherapists and children on standard physiotherapy practices, to increase their motivation, and to ensure children's participation in treatment.

Juvenile rheumatic diseases are chronic diseases with a prognosis ranging from complete recovery to long-term disability. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common rheumatologic disease in children. Pain is one of the main clinical symptoms in JIA. Due to pain, these children with rheumatic diseases avoid moving. The fear of moving because of this pain is defined as kinesiophobia. Kinesiophobia (fear of movement); It is defined as an excessive and unreasonable fear of physical action to avoid harm or re-injury. Its prevalence in chronic pain varies between 50-70%. Regular physical activity and fitness exercises can prevent kinesiophobia; Treatment includes therapeutic exercises and cognitive behavioral therapy.

In order to cope with pain, improve quality of life and prevent kinesiophobia in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, most of the physiotherapy approaches used so far are standard.

However, nowadays, it has been observed that participation in treatment has increased with game-based exercises instead of standard physiotherapy. In addition, remote monitoring applications made it possible to perform physiotherapy programs, which are an integral part of the treatment in children with JIA, who is difficult to reach the clinic due to reasons such school schedule and living area, through remote monitoring. This project aimed to investigate the effects of telemonitoring-supported game-based home exercise programs on pain, kinesiophobia and quality of life.

In this study, the participants will be evaluated and training game-based exercises at the baseline examination. Then, the participants will be followed the online synchronous communication application-based telemonitoring method After the game-based home exercises intervention, the participants will be re-evaluated again and the results will be compared.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Whose are diagnosed with JIA at least 1 year ago
2. Whose are aged 6-16 years
3. Whose are having pain in lower extremity joints for more than the last 6 months
4. Whose have stable medical treatment
5. Whose are at a level to understand the games and perform the activities mentally

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with neurological problems in addition to rheumatic diagnosis
2. Individuals who are contraindicated to exercise