Patient-centered rehabilitation in neck pain: Do training preferences of patients change during a 2 month rehabilitation period?

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this research is to investigate if training preferences change during a neck rehabilitation program of 2 months. The first goal of this study is to identify de training preferences of these patient. A second goal is to evaluate if there is a difference after 2 months. The third goal is to identify/inventory the technological abilities of the patients. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were obtained based on the Neck Disability Index (NDI) at the start of the rehabilitation and after 2 months. Results: Thirty-four patients with neck pain (12 male/22 female; NDI=17.32, SD=5.803) have been included in this study. The average age of participants was 42.85 years (SD=12.534). These participants indicated that their most preferred training activities were: sitting posture, lifting and driving a car. The motives behind this specific preferences were work and/or study and sitting posture. Sport and recreation was the most chosen motive but did not correspond to a top three preference. After eight weeks of rehabilitation participants still have the same training preferences and motives to rehabilitate. Participants are accustomed with the proposed technologies. A mobile phone/smartphone, computer/laptop and tablet are devices that are used at least on a weekly basis. The purpose of this electronic devices is more personal use than work purposes. PC/laptop and tablets are used for a wide variety of tasks such as mobile phones and smartphones but these are especially used for communication. Conclusions: Patients wi