The Effects of the Hybrid Telerehabilitation Exercise Program in Inactive University Students during COVID-19 Pandemic – A Randomized Controlled Study

Abstract

Background/Aim The need for alternative methods to prevent physical inactivity and related problems is increasing day by day due to the prevalence of physical inactivity among university students, especially in the pandemic. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a hybrid telerehabilitation exercise program on the physical inactivity, poor sleep quality and physio-mental negativities caused by the pandemic in university students.

Materials and Methods The study was completed with sixty-three physically inactive students with poor sleep quality, divided into two groups. The physiotherapist made all assessments at baseline and after the 6-week for both groups. Assessments consisted of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Short Form-12 (SF-12), and International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF). While no exercise program was applied to the control group, one session synchronous exercise training and one session control education were given to the exercise group. After two synchronous training sessions, the exercise group asynchronously continued the exercise program including indoor walking, flexibility and strengthening exercises for 6 weeks.

Results According to inter-groups analysis, PSQI (p=0.026), BDI (p=0.037), SF-12 Mental (p=0.007), and IPAQ-sitting (p=0.003) of the exercise group had significant differences compared to the control. Also, the exercise group's PSQI, BDI, SF-12, and IPAQ-sitting time were p<0.001, while no change was observed in the control group in the within-group analysis (p>0.05).

Conclusion Hybrid telerehabilitation exercise programs are a valuable, simple, and practical tool to improve sleep quality, prevent inactivity, develop and protect mental health among university students. Encouraging physically inactive people to engage in such methods may be one of the primary preventive approach to prevent the future negative consequences.

Zusammenfassung

Einleitung/Zweck Der Bedarf an alternativen Methoden, um Probleme im Zusammenhang mit erhöhter körperlicher Inaktivität bei Universitätsstudenten während der Pandemie zu beheben, steigt von Tag zu Tag. Ziel dieser Studie war es, die Auswirkungen der hybriden Tele-Übungsintervention auf körperliche Inaktivität, und negative körperliche Auswirkungen zu untersuchen, die durch die Pandemie bei Universitätsstudenten verursacht werden.

Material und Methoden Die Studie wurde mit 63 Studenten abgeschlossen, die in zwei Gruppen aufgeteilt wurden. Alle Erhebungen wurden von Physiotherapeuten in beiden Gruppen zu Beginn und am Ende der 6. Woche vorgenommen. Die Datenerhebungen bestanden aus dem Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), dem Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), dem Short Form-12 (SF-12) und dem International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF). Die Interventionsgruppe erhielt eine Sitzung synchrones Übungstraining und eine Sitzung zur Kontrolle der Übungen. In der Kontrollgruppe wurde kein Übungstraining durchgeführt. Nach zwei synchronisierten Übungssitzungen wurde in der Interventionsgruppe über 6 Wochen ein asynchrones Bewegungsprogramm mit Indoor-Walking, Beweglichkeits- und Kräftigungsübungen durchgeführt.

Ergebnisse Bei Betrachtung der Analysen zwischen den Gruppen zeigte sich ein signifikanter Unterschied zwischen der Interventionsgruppe und der Kontrollgruppe hinsichtlich PSQI (p=0,026), BDI (p=0,037), SF-12 Mental (p=0,007) und IPAQ-Sitzwerte (p=0,003). Abgesehen davon waren die PSQI, BDI, SF-12 und IPAQ-Sitzzeiten der Interventionsgruppe statistisch signifikant (p<0,001), wohingegen in der Kontrollgruppe hinsichtlich der In-Group-Analyse (p>0,05) keine Veränderung beobachtet.

Schlussfolgerung Hybride Telerehabilitations-Übungsprogramme sind ein nützliches, einfaches und praktisches Instrument, das dazu beitragen kann, die Schlafqualität von Universitätsstudenten zu verbessern, Inaktivität vorzubeugen und die psychische Gesundheit der Studenten zu verbessern und zu schützen. Die Ermutigung körperlich inaktiver Menschen, diese Art von Methoden anzuwenden, kann einer der primären präventiven Ansätze gegen zukünftige negative Folgen sein.

Key words

Hybrid Telerehabilitation - sleep quality - depression - physical inactivity - exercise

Schlüsselwörter

Hybride Telerehabilitation - Schlafqualität - Depression - Bewegungsmangel - Bewegung

Publication History

Received: 12 November 2021

Accepted: 25 May 2022

Article published online:
25 July 2022

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