Exercise-based telerehabilitation versus face-to-face physiotherapy for chronic neck pain: a narrative review

Background and purpose Musculoskeletal disorders, including spinal pain and osteoarthritis, represent some of the most significant contributors to years lived with disability on a global scale. Neck pain is a prevalent musculoskeletal disorder that poses a considerable public health challenge worldwide, contributing substantially to disability and generating significant healthcare-related costs. Aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of telerehabilitation and face-to-face physiotherapy in reducing pain and improving function in individuals with chronic neck pain. Material and methods A focused literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar to identify relevant publications from 2015 to 2026. The search used the terms “chronic neck pain,” “telerehabilitation,” “face-to-face physiotherapy,” and “functional disability.” Titles and abstracts were screened for relevance, with emphasis on studies examining telerehabilitation and face-to-face physiotherapy for the management of neck pain. Results Telerehabilitation, particularly app-based and remotely supervised exercise, effectively reduced pain and disability and improved physical function and quality of life in patients with neck pain. Outcomes were generally comparable to conventional physiotherapy, with high patient satisfaction and reduced travel burden. Differences in intervention protocols and supervision may affect effectiveness. Conclusions Available evidence suggests that telerehabilitation is an effective and feasible alternative to conventional face-to-face physiotherapy for the management of chronic neck pain. Therapeutic exercise remains the cornerstone of most telerehabilitation programs, which are commonly delivered through smartphone applications, videoconferencing platforms, telephone consultations, and web-based systems.