A Controlled Trial on Acupuncture for Chronic Neck Pain

2002 ◽  
Vol 30 (01) ◽  
pp. 13-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xue Man Zhu ◽  
Barbara Polus
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Neck Pain ◽  
Washout Period ◽  
Chronic Neck Pain ◽  
Sham Acupuncture ◽  
Objective Measures ◽  
Subjective Measures ◽  
The Real ◽  
Two Phases

To evaluate the efficacy of Chinese medicine (CM) acupuncture for chronic neck pain (CNP), a single blind, controlled, crossover, clinical trial was undertaken. Twenty-nine volunteers with CNP were randomly recruited into two groups. Both groups received two phases of treatment with a washout period between the two phases. Group A (14 volunteers) received CM acupuncture in the first phase and sham acupuncture in the second, while Group B (15 volunteers) received sham in the first and real in the second. CM acupuncture was individualized and consisted of nine sessions on both local and distal points. Manual twisting of the needle was applied on all points plus strong electrical stimulation of distal points in CM acupuncture. Sham acupoints (lateral to the real) and sham (weak) electrical stimulation was used in the control group. Comparison of subjective and objective measures between the two groups was made at different periods, including baseline, after each phase of treatment, after washout, and after the 16th week follow-up. The subjective measures included pain intensity, duration per day, analgesic medication count, visual analogue scales (VAS) and neck disability index (NDI). The objective measures consisted of neck range of motion (ROM) and pain threshold (PT). Both the real and sham treatments significantly reduced subjective pain, without significant differences between groups for most subjective measures. Objective measures showed no significant change for either group before and after each period or by inter-groups analysis. A minimum 16-week effect of both real and sham acupuncture was found for subjective measures in the follow-up periods. Further study is recommended with an increased sample size, a longer washout period, and a longer baseline period.

scholarly journals Efficacy of Manual Therapy and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation in Cervical Mobility and Endurance in Subacute and Chronic Neck Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (15) ◽  
pp. 3245
Author(s):  
Belén Díaz-Pulido ◽  
Yolanda Pérez-Martín ◽  
Daniel Pecos-Martín ◽  
Isabel Rodríguez-Costa ◽  
Milagros Pérez-Muñoz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Neck Pain ◽  
Manual Therapy ◽  
Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Sagittal Plane ◽  
Chronic Neck Pain ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Electrical Nerve Stimulation

Neck pain is a frequent health problem. Manual therapy (MT) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) are recommended techniques for treatment of mechanical neck disorders (MND) in Spanish Public Primary Care Physiotherapy Services. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of MT versus TENS in active mobility and endurance in cervical subacute or chronic neck pain. Ninety patients with MND were randomly allocated to receive ten 30-min sessions of either MT or TENS, in a multi-centered study through 12 Primary Care Physiotherapy Units in the Madrid community. Active cervical range of motion (CD-ROM) and endurance (Palmer and Epler test) were evaluated pre- and post-intervention and at 6-month follow-up. A generalized linear model of repeated measures was constructed for the analysis of differences. Post-intervention MT yielded a significant improvement in active mobility and endurance in patients with subacute or chronic MND, and at 6-month follow-up the differences were only significant in endurance and in sagittal plane active mobility. In the TENS group, no significant improvement was detected. With regard to other variables, MT improved mobility and endurance more effectively than TENS at post-intervention and at 6-month follow-up in the sagittal plane. Only MT generated significant improvements in cervical mobility and endurance in the three movement planes.

Acupuncture for Chronic Neck Pain - a Cohort Study in An Nhs Pain Clinic

2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 146-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Blossfeldt
Keyword(s):  
Neck Pain ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Chronic Neck Pain ◽  
Pain Clinic ◽  
Patient Treatment ◽  
Successful Outcome ◽  
End Of Treatment ◽  
Long Term Follow Up ◽  
One Year

The study investigates the outcome of acupuncture for chronic neck pain in a cohort of patients referred to an NHS chronic pain clinic. One hundred and seventy two patients were selected for acupuncture over a period of 6.5 years. Treatment was given by a single acupuncturist and consisted of a course of needle acupuncture for an average of seven sessions per patient. Treatment outcome was measured by an oral rating scale of improvement at the end of treatment and at follow up six months and one year after treatment. Nineteen patients were withdrawn from treatment for various reasons, two for adverse events. One hundred and fifty three patients were evaluated, of whom 68% had a successful outcome from acupuncture, reporting an improvement in pain of at least 50%. The success rate was higher in patients with a short duration of pain: 85% in patients with pain for up to three months and 78% with pain for up to six months. Long-term follow up showed that 49% of the patients who completed treatment had maintained the benefit after six months, and 40% at one year. The results indicate that acupuncture can be an effective treatment for selected patients with chronic neck pain.

scholarly journals Adaptations in Evoked Pain Sensitivity and Conditioned Pain Modulation after Development of Chronic Neck Pain

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bahar Shahidi ◽  
Katrina S. Maluf
Keyword(s):  
Neck Pain ◽  
Pain Sensitivity ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Chronic Neck Pain ◽  
Pain Modulation ◽  
Conditioned Pain Modulation ◽  
Healthy Individuals ◽  
Cold Pain

Numerous studies demonstrate elevated pain sensitivity and impaired conditioned pain modulation (CPM) in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain compared to healthy individuals; however, the time course of changes in pain sensitivity and CPM after the development of a chronic pain condition is unclear. Secondary analysis of data from a prospective investigation examined changes in evoked pain sensitivity and CPM before and after development of chronic neck pain (CNP). 171 healthy office workers participated in a baseline assessment, followed by monthly online questionnaires to identify those who developed CNP over the subsequent year. These individuals (N=17) and a cohort of participants (N=10) who remained pain-free during the follow-up period returned for a 12-month follow-up assessment of mechanical and thermal pain sensitivity and CPM. Pain sensitivity measures did not differ between groups at baseline; however, cold pain threshold decreased in the CNP group at follow-up (p<0.05). CPM was lower at baseline in the CNP group compared to those who reported no neck pain (p<0.02) and remained unchanged one year later. These findings indicate that CPM is reduced in healthy individuals prior to the development of chronic neck pain and the subsequent reduction of thresholds for cold but not pressure pain.

scholarly journals Effect of Combined Manual Therapy and Therapeutic Exercise Protocols on the Postural Stability of Patients with Non-Specific Chronic Neck Pain. A Secondary Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 84
Author(s):  
Carlos Bernal-Utrera ◽  
Ernesto Anarte-Lazo ◽  
Juan Jose Gonzalez-Gerez ◽  
Manuel Saavedra-Hernandez ◽  
Elena De-La-Barrera-Aranda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Neck Pain ◽  
Manual Therapy ◽  
Postural Stability ◽  
Chronic Neck Pain ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Placebo Control ◽  
Therapeutic Exercise ◽  
The Relationship

Postural stability is a little-studied factor in non-specific chronic neck pain; the causes that can alter it are unknown. The relationship with chronic pain could be a determining factor for its deficit. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between sustained pain and a postural stability deficit. A randomized and blinded clinical trial (double-blind; placebo control; 12 weeks follow-up) was conducted with a total of 69 subjects divided into three groups, two experimental (manual therapy and specific exercise) and a control treatment, and carried out over a treatment period of three weeks with a follow-up after 12 weeks. Their postural stability was assessed through the overall balance index (OBI). The postural stability of subjects with non-specific chronic neck pain improved in the experimental treatments. There were no statistically significant differences between the experimental groups. This trial found that manual therapy and therapeutic exercise significantly improved OBI compared to the control group. Trial registration: Brazilian Clinical Trial Registry, RBR-2vj7sw.

Do measures of pain sensitivity predict pain and disability at 1-year follow up in people with chronic neck pain?

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. e39-e40 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Moloney ◽  
T. Rebeck ◽  
R. Azoory ◽  
M. Huebscher ◽  
R. Waller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neck Pain ◽  
Pain Sensitivity ◽  
Chronic Neck Pain

Yoga for Chronic Neck Pain: A 12-Month Follow-Up

Pain Medicine ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 541-548 ◽  
Author(s):  
Holger Cramer ◽  
Romy Lauche ◽  
Claudia Hohmann ◽  
Jost Langhorst ◽  
Gustav Dobos
Keyword(s):  
Neck Pain ◽  
Chronic Neck Pain

Is a combined programme of manual therapy and exercise more effective than usual care in patients with non-specific chronic neck pain? A randomized controlled trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (12) ◽  
pp. 1908-1918 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucia Domingues ◽  
Fernando Manuel Pimentel-Santos ◽  
Eduardo Brazete Cruz ◽  
Ana Cristina Sousa ◽  
Ana Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Neck Pain ◽  
Usual Care ◽  
Pain Intensity ◽  
Manual Therapy ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Chronic Neck Pain ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of a combined intervention of manual therapy and exercise (MET) versus usual care (UC), on disability, pain intensity and global perceived recovery, in patients with non-specific chronic neck pain (CNP). Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: Outpatient care units. Subjects: Sixty-four non-specific CNP patients were randomly allocated to MET ( n = 32) or UC ( n = 32) groups. Interventions: Participants in the MET group received 12 sessions of mobilization and exercise, whereas the UC group received 15 sessions of usual care in physiotherapy. Main measures: The primary outcome was disability (Neck Disability Index). The secondary outcomes were pain intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale) and global perceived recovery (Patient Global Impression Change). Patients were assessed at baseline, three weeks, six weeks (end of treatment) and at a three-month follow-up. Results: Fifty-eight participants completed the study. No significant between-group difference was observed on disability and pain intensity at baseline. A significant between-group difference was observed on disability at three-week, six-week and three-month follow-up (median (P25–P75): 6 (3.25–9.81) vs. 15.5 (11.28–20.75); P < 0.001), favouring the MET group. Regarding pain intensity, a significant between-group difference was observed at six-week and three-month follow-up (median (P25–P75): 2 (1–2.51) vs. 5 (3.33–6); P < 0.001), with superiority of effect in MET group. Concerning the global perceived recovery, a significant between-group difference was observed only at the three-month follow-up ( P = 0.001), favouring the MET group. Conclusion: This study’s findings suggest that a combination of manual therapy and exercise is more effective than usual care on disability, pain intensity and global perceived recovery.

scholarly journals App-Based Relaxation Exercises for Patients With Chronic Neck Pain: Pragmatic Randomized Trial

10.2196/31482 ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. e31482
Author(s):  
Daniel Pach ◽  
Susanne Blödt ◽  
Jiani Wang ◽  
Theresa Keller ◽  
Beatrice Bergmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neck Pain ◽  
Pain Intensity ◽  
Care Setting ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Chronic Neck Pain ◽  
Pain Medication ◽  
Pain Acceptance ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Relaxation Exercises

Background Chronic neck pain is a highly prevalent condition. Learning a relaxation technique is recommended by numerous guidelines for chronic neck pain. Smartphone apps can provide relaxation exercises; however, their effectiveness, especially in a self-care setting, is unclear. Objective The aim of this pragmatic randomized trial is to evaluate whether app-based relaxation exercises, including audio-based autogenic training, mindfulness meditation, or guided imagery, are more effective in reducing chronic neck pain than usual care alone. Methods Smartphone owners aged 18 to 65 years with chronic (>12 weeks) neck pain and the previous week’s average neck pain intensity ≥4 on the Numeric Rating Scale (0=no pain to 10=worst possible pain) were randomized into either an intervention group to practice app-based relaxation exercises or a control group (usual care and app for data entry only). For both groups, the follow-up data were collected using app-based diaries and questionnaires. The primary outcome was the mean neck pain intensity during the first 3 months based on daily measurements. Secondary outcomes included neck pain based on weekly measurements, pain acceptance, neck pain–related stress, sick-leave days, pain medication intake, and adherence, which were all measured until the 6-month follow-up. For the primary analysis, analysis of covariance adjusted for baseline neck pain intensity was used. Results We screened 748 participants and enrolled 220 participants (mean age 38.9, SD 11.3 years; mean baseline neck pain 5.7, SD 1.3 points). The mean neck pain intensity in both groups decreased over 3 months; however, no statistically significant difference between the groups was found (intervention: 4.1 points, 95% CI 3.8-4.4; control: 3.8 points, 95% CI 3.5-4.1; group difference: 0.3 points, 95% CI −0.2 to 0.7; P=.23). In addition, no statistically significant between-group differences regarding neck pain intensity after 6 months, responder rate, pain acceptance, pain medication intake, or sick-leave days were observed. There were no serious adverse events that were considered related to the trial intervention. In week 12, only 40% (44/110) of the participants in the intervention group continued to practice the exercises with the app. Conclusions The study app did not effectively reduce chronic neck pain or keep the participants engaged in exercising in a self-care setting. Future studies on app-based relaxation interventions should take into account the most recent scientific findings for behavior change techniques. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02019134; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02019134 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR2-10.1186/1745-6215-15-490

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