• Anneli Peolsson, Landén LudvigssonMariaMDepartment of Medical and Health Sciences, Physiotherapy, Linköping University, Sandbäcksg. 7, 58183, Linköping, Sweden.Department of Rehabilitation and Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Rehab Väst, County Council of Österg, and Gunnel Peterson.
• Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Physiotherapy, Linköping University, Sandbäcksg. 7, 58183, Linköping, Sweden. Anneli.Peolsson@liu.se.
• Bmc Musculoskel Dis. 2017 Dec 12; 18 (1): 524.

BackgroundGlobally, neck pain is the fourth most common condition associated with longer periods of living with disability. Annually, approximately 0.3% of the population of Western countries undergo whiplash trauma, and half of those individuals will develop chronic problems with high costs for the individual and society. Evidence for chronic whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) treatment is scarce, though neck-specific training at a physiotherapy clinic twice a week for 12 weeks has demonstrated good results. More efficient, flexible rehabilitation with reduced waiting times and lower costs is needed, ideally replacing lengthy on-site treatment series by healthcare providers. Internet-based care has been shown to be a viable alternative for a variety of diseases and interventions, but studies are lacking on Internet-based interventions for individuals with chronic neck problems. The aim of the trial described here is to compare the effects of an Internet-based neck-specific exercise programme to the same exercises performed at a physiotherapy clinic in regards to self-reported and clinical measures, as well as cost-effectiveness.MethodsThis prospective, randomized controlled trial will involve 140 participants. Measurements will be made at baseline, 3 months (end of treatment), and 15 months (12 months after end of intervention) and will include ratings of pain, disability, satisfaction with care, work ability, quality of life, and cost-effectiveness.DiscussionThe study results may contribute to the development of a more effective rehabilitation, flexible and equal care, shorter waiting times, increased availability, and lower costs for healthcare and society.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov Protocol ID: NCT03022812 , initial release 12/20/2016.

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