Biopsychosocial-Based Exercise Model for Rheumatic Diseases Via Telerehabilitation: A Case Series with a One Year Follow Up

Authors

Nazlı Elif Nacar, Kahramanmaraş Sütçü Imam UniversityFollow
Nur Banu Karaca, Hacettepe UniversityFollow
Zeynep Irem Bulut, Fenerbahçe UniversityFollow
Erkin Oguz Sarı, Hasan Kalyoncu UniversityFollow
Senem Bulut, Hacettepe UniversityFollow
Yavuz Yakut, Hasan Kalyoncu UniversityFollow
Sevim Oksüz, Eastern Mediterranean UniversityFollow
Sedat Kiraz, Hacettepe UniversityFollow
Edibe Unal, Hacettepe UniversityFollow

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to examine the sustainability of the biopsychosocial exercise performed by telerehabilitation on individuals with rheumatic disease, with and without supervision, and investigate the effect of the biopsychosocial-based exercise model on biopsychosocial status, general health status, and anxiety-depression levels of individuals. Method: Twenty patients with rheumatic diseases performed a biopsychosocial-based exercise model Cognitive Exercise Therapy Approach via telerehabilitation with physiotherapist-supervised and unsupervised exercises who continued for three sessions per week for 12 months. Outcome measures were Health Assessment Questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Cognitive Exercise Therapy Approach -Biopsychosocial Questionnaire. Patients were assessed at baseline, 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th months. Results: There was no significant difference by time for Health Assessment Questionnaire (p=0.512) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale -anxiety and depression scores (p=0.162 and p=0.825, respectively) between the five measures at the one-year follow-up. Similarly, there is no significant difference in Cognitive Exercise Therapy Approach -Biopsychosocial Questionnaire score outcomes by time (p=0.184). Conclusion: In this study a group of rheumatic patients with face-to-face biopsychosocial exercise habits were able to maintain their exercise habits with real-time telerehabilitation with or without supervised during the 1-year follow-up period during the COVID-19 pandemic was shown. Although there was no improvement in the parameters during the pandemic period when social isolation and depression-anxiety disorders increased, the level of recovery which individuals had previously gained was not adversely affected and the healing properties were preserved with the help of telerehabilitation.

Author Bio(s)

Nazlı Elif Nacar, PT. MSc. is a graduate of a Master's of Science degree in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation. She is currently completing her PhD at Hacettepe University. She is a senior instructor at Kahramanmaras Sütcü Imam University,

Nur Banu Karaca, PT. MSc. is a graduate of a Master's of Science degree in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation. She is currently completing her PhD in Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation at Hacettepe University along with being a research assistant.

Zeynep Irem Bulut, PT. PhD. is a graduate of a doctorate degree in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation. She is currently working as assistant professor at Fenerbahce University.

Erkin Oguz Sarı, PT. MSc. is a graduate of a Master's of Science degree in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation. He is currently completing his PhD along with being a research assistant at Hasan Kalyoncu University.

Senem Bulut, PT. MSc. is a graduate of a Master's of Science degree in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation.

Yavuz Yakut, Prof. Dr. is a professor and core faculty member at Hasan Kalyoncu University. His areas of interest are scoliosis and orthotics and prosthetics. He has extensive experience in survey design along with statistical analysis.

Sevim Oksüz, PT. PhD. is an assistant professor and vice chair of the Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department at Eastern Mediterranen University. Her areas of interest are rheumatological diseases, musculoskeletal problems and chronic pain. She is also a board member of the Cyprus Turkish Physiotherapists Association.

Sedat Kiraz, Prof. Dr. is a professor and core faculty member in Department of Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, at Hacettepe University. He has many national and international studies on rheumatological diseases.

Edibe Unal, Prof. Dr. is a professor and core faculty member in Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation at Hacettepe University. She is the developer of Cognitive Exercise Therapy Approach (BETY-Bilişsel Egzersiz Terapi Yaklaşımı), an innovative technique with a holistic approach in accordance with the biopsychosocial model.

Acknowledgements

There are no other contributors to this research.

Recommended Citation

Nacar NE, Karaca NB, Bulut ZI, Sarı EO, Bulut S, Yakut Y, et al. Biopsychosocial-Based Exercise Model for Rheumatic Diseases Via Telerehabilitation: A Case Series with a One Year Follow Up. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2025 Apr 15;23(2), Article 9.