TELE-PHYSIOTHERAPY OR TRADITIONAL REHAB? A RANDOMIZED TRIAL ON CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN IN RURAL ATHLETES OF DISTRICT SWABI KPK

Abstract

Background: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is common among athletes, and accessibility to specialized physiotherapy remains limited for rural sports communities. Tele-physiotherapy is emerging as a practical solution, but evidence comparing its effectiveness against traditional in-person rehabilitation in athletic populations remains limited.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of tele-physiotherapy and in-person rehabilitation on pain, disability, core strength, and functional performance among rural male athletes with CLBP.

Methodology: A randomized controlled trial was conducted for 3 months at Health & Wellness Physio Rehab Center. Thirty male athletes (cricket, football, badminton) aged 18 to 35 years with CLBP were randomly assigned into two groups: Tele-Physiotherapy (n=15) and In-Person Rehab (n=15). Baseline and post-intervention assessments included NPRS, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), core muscle endurance tests, lumbar ROM, and the Biering-Sorensen test. The tele-physiotherapy group received supervised online sessions via Zoom and WhatsApp, while the in-person group received standard clinical rehabilitation. SPSS 26 was used for statistical analysis.

Results: Both groups demonstrated significant improvement in pain, disability, and core endurance (p < .05). The in-person group showed slightly greater improvement in lumbar ROM and core endurance, but the tele-physiotherapy group showed comparable reductions in pain and disability scores. Between-group comparisons showed no statistically significant difference for NPRS (p = .082) and ODI (p = .067).

Conclusion: Tele-physiotherapy is nearly as effective as in-person rehabilitation for rural athletes with CLBP. It offers a practical alternative for remote communities with limited access to rehabilitation centers.