This study is part of a larger research project with a multi-center RCT, aiming
to compare two different ways of distributing neck-specific rehabilitation to
individuals with chronic WAD in primary health care in Sweden.8 (link) After
written and oral informed consent, 140 individuals with chronic neck problems
corresponding to WAD grades 2–318 (link) verified by clinical
examination, were included in the RCT and randomized into one of two groups.
Both groups received the same NSE for 12 weeks. Exercises were chosen from a
clear and written frame and included exercises for the deep neck muscles,
continuing with the endurance, training of neck and shoulder muscles. Part 1:
Activation by supine isometric exercises 5 repetitions 5 times a day with
progression to next part. Part 2: Progression from supine to sitting isometric
exercises 3 × 10, 3 times a day. Part 3: Endurance training, starting with 5–10
repetitions and progression to 3 × 20 if tolerated, 3 times a week. Training of
neck and shoulder muscles were included, 3 × 10, 3 times a week. The exercises
are individually adjusted according to the individual's physical conditions and
progressively increased in severity and dose. These exercises have been used
with good results in a previous RCT, where the program is described more in
detail.19 (link),20 (link) The first visit to the physiotherapist take
approximately 60 minutes and the others 30 minutes. Group A received
internet-based support in combination with four visits to the physiotherapist
while group B received two visits/week to the physiotherapist but without the
internet-based support.8 (link) This internet-based support consisted of a digital
platform with information provided in text, pictures and videos about pain, pain
management, WAD, neck muscle function, how to perform the NSE, as well as an
opportunity to report daily exercises and receive SMS reminders to do the
exercises. No tools or special aids were provided for the internet-based
support.
Physiotherapists who had experienced at least one patient randomized to the
internet-based support group were eligible to participate in this focus group
study. To facilitate group discussions, we strived for a variation of
physiotherapists regarding age, gender, length of work experience, working in
public and private primary care centers and different regions in south and
central Sweden. Eligible physiotherapists were approached by e-mail with
information of the study, and interested physiotherapists were given extended
written and oral information. Nine physiotherapists chose to participate, and
were strategically distributed into one of the focus groups to reach a variation
of experiences (different regions, public/private clinic, age, etc.). Three
focus group discussions were held with three physiotherapists in each group.
Participant characteristics are shown inTable 1 .
to compare two different ways of distributing neck-specific rehabilitation to
individuals with chronic WAD in primary health care in Sweden.8 (link) After
written and oral informed consent, 140 individuals with chronic neck problems
corresponding to WAD grades 2–318 (link) verified by clinical
examination, were included in the RCT and randomized into one of two groups.
Both groups received the same NSE for 12 weeks. Exercises were chosen from a
clear and written frame and included exercises for the deep neck muscles,
continuing with the endurance, training of neck and shoulder muscles. Part 1:
Activation by supine isometric exercises 5 repetitions 5 times a day with
progression to next part. Part 2: Progression from supine to sitting isometric
exercises 3 × 10, 3 times a day. Part 3: Endurance training, starting with 5–10
repetitions and progression to 3 × 20 if tolerated, 3 times a week. Training of
neck and shoulder muscles were included, 3 × 10, 3 times a week. The exercises
are individually adjusted according to the individual's physical conditions and
progressively increased in severity and dose. These exercises have been used
with good results in a previous RCT, where the program is described more in
detail.19 (link),20 (link) The first visit to the physiotherapist take
approximately 60 minutes and the others 30 minutes. Group A received
internet-based support in combination with four visits to the physiotherapist
while group B received two visits/week to the physiotherapist but without the
internet-based support.8 (link) This internet-based support consisted of a digital
platform with information provided in text, pictures and videos about pain, pain
management, WAD, neck muscle function, how to perform the NSE, as well as an
opportunity to report daily exercises and receive SMS reminders to do the
exercises. No tools or special aids were provided for the internet-based
support.
Physiotherapists who had experienced at least one patient randomized to the
internet-based support group were eligible to participate in this focus group
study. To facilitate group discussions, we strived for a variation of
physiotherapists regarding age, gender, length of work experience, working in
public and private primary care centers and different regions in south and
central Sweden. Eligible physiotherapists were approached by e-mail with
information of the study, and interested physiotherapists were given extended
written and oral information. Nine physiotherapists chose to participate, and
were strategically distributed into one of the focus groups to reach a variation
of experiences (different regions, public/private clinic, age, etc.). Three
focus group discussions were held with three physiotherapists in each group.
Participant characteristics are shown in
