Ozge Tahran

Istanbul Beykent University, Turkey

Abstract Title: Comparison of the Effects of Face-to-Face and Internet-Based Basic Body Awareness Therapy on Trunk Position Sense in Patients with Fibromyalgia

Biography: Ozge Tahran completed her PhD in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation at Istanbul University-Cerrahpa?a. She is currently a faculty member at the Division of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Istanbul Beykent University. Her research focuses on telerehabilitation, body awareness therapies, proprioception, and musculoskeletal disorders. She has authored several scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals and actively participates in national and international conferences. She has also contributed as a reviewer and collaborator in interdisciplinary physiotherapy projects and continues to work on innovative rehabilitation approaches to improve functional outcomes in clinical populations.

Research Interest: Proprioceptive functions, particularly trunk position sense, are essential for motor control and functional performance. Previous studies have demonstrated impaired trunk position sense in women with fibromyalgia (FM), potentially contributing to balance and postural control deficits. This study aimed to compare the effects of Basic Body Awareness Therapy (BBAT), delivered face-to-face (F2F) and via internet-based telerehabilitation (I-BBAT), on trunk position sense in FM patients. Fifty-one female patients diagnosed with FM according to the 2016 ACR criteria were randomly assigned to one of three groups: F2F-BBAT (n=17), I-BBAT (n=17), or control group (CG; n=17). Both intervention groups received BBAT twice weekly for eight weeks (60 minutes per session), either in-person or through video conferencing. The control group was placed on a waiting list. Trunk position sense was assessed pre- and post-intervention using a digital inclinometer. Forty-one participants completed the study. At baseline, no significant differences were observed among groups (p>0.05). After the intervention, both F2F-BBAT and I-BBAT groups showed significant improvements in trunk position sense (p<0.05), with no significant difference between them (p>0.05). The control group exhibited no significant changes (p>0.05). Both intervention groups had significantly better outcomes than the control group (p<0.05). In conclusion, both face-to-face and internet-based BBAT interventions were effective in improving trunk position sense in patients with FM. Internet-based delivery may be a viable and accessible alternative to traditional therapy, especially where access to in-person rehabilitation is limited. Keywords: Fibromyalgia, Proprioception, Trunk Position Sense, BBAT, Telerehabilitation