Microwave Diathermy for Treating Nonspecific Chronic Neck Pain

Microwave Diathermy for Treating Nonspecific Chronic Neck Pain. A Randomised Controlled Trial

Status

Completed

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT01487122

Acronym

MOFIS

Enrollment

145

Registered

2011-12-07

Start date

2008-09-30

Completion date

2011-09-30

Last updated

2011-12-07

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Neck Pain

Keywords

Diathermy, Neck Pain

Brief summary

This randomised controlled trial aims to compare the effect of microwave diathermy (continuous and pulsed modes) with sham microwave diathermy in nonspecific chronic neck pain patients. Every patient will also be treated by exercise and transcutaneous electrical neurostimulation (TENS). The primary endpoint is to establish whether the use of microwaves is justified in terms of pain relief or reduction of disability in this patients.

Interventions

RADIATIONContinuous microwave

Continuous microwave through a great circular electrode, 15 cm from the neck, 20 minutes, 80 watts, 15 sessions in 3 weeks

RADIATIONPulsed microwaves

Pulsed microwaves through a great circular electrode, 15 cm away from the neck, 20 minutes, 80 watts, 15 sessions in 3 weeks

PROCEDURESham microwaves

Unplugged microwave generator, great circular electrode, 15 cm away from the neck, 20 minutes, 15 sessions in 3 weeks

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

TRIPLE (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to 65 Years

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* to be between 18 and 65 years old * to be diagnosed with chronic nonspecific neck pain (i.e. during more than 3 months in the absence of red flags (unexplained weight loss, fever, neurological signs, history of cancer, history of inflammatory conditions...)

Exclusion criteria

* pregnancy * sick leave * litigation * claims because the neck pain.

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Change from baseline in pain at six months	Baseline. At three weeks. At six months	Pain as measured by visual analogic scale
Change from baseline in neck disability at six months	Baseline. At three weeks. At six months	Neck disability as measured by Neck Disability Index and Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire
Change from baseline in quality of life at six months	Baseline. At three weeks. At six months	Quality of life as measured by SF-36 questionnaire

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026