Non Specific Neck Pain
Conditions
Keywords
Low-Level Light Therapy, Photobiomodulation, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation, Neck Pain, Laser Therapy, Low-Level Laser Therapy
Brief summary
This study aimed to investigate and compare the effects of low-intensity laser therapy, a photobiomodulation treatment, and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on pain and disability in individuals with non-specific neck pain. This randomized controlled trial used the Numerical Pain Scale (primary outcome) and the Bournemouth Neck Pain Questionnaire to assess pain, a manual algometer to assess pain threshold, and the Neck Disability Index to assess disability. Three groups were included in this randomized controlled trial: Group 1: Photobiomodulation therapy (low-intensity laser therapy) + conventional physiotherapy; Group 2: Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation with stretching and strengthening + conventional physiotherapy; Group 3: Conventional physiotherapy only. We hypothesized that low-intensity laser therapy and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation would have distinct effects on pain and disability in chronic non-specific neck pain.
Interventions
DEVICELow-intensity Laser Therapy Treatment
Low-dose laser therapy was administered twice a week for a total of 10 sessions using a Chattanoga Advance device, at a power of 100 mW and an energy dose of 4 J/cm², with each trigger point receiving treatment plus four additional points marked with a cross (Legouté et al. 2019).
Stretching and strengthening exercises were performed twice a week for a total of 10 sessions on the scalene, sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, intercostal and serratus anterior muscles, and three times a week for 10 minutes (including the neck extensors). The specific method involved the 'hold-release' technique for 10 repetitions of PNF stretching and the maximum isometric contraction technique for strengthening (Liu et al. 2021; Cruz-Montecinos et al. 2017).
OTHERConventional physiotherapy
Conventional physiotherapy involved traditional heat therapy, pain-relieving electrical stimulation and neck exercises.
Sponsors
Istanbul Gedik University
Medipol University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Volunteering to participate in the study * A neck pain score of at least 3 on the Numerical Pain Scale in the assessment conducted prior to inclusion in the study * A Neck Disability Index score of 5 or higher * No comorbid conditions affecting the orthopaedic, neurological or cardiopulmonary systems * Participants who have not been enrolled in another clinical trial within the last month
Exclusion criteria
* Individuals who have undergone upper limb surgery (e.g. shoulder blade, shoulder, elbow, hand, wrist, etc.) within the last year * Individuals with a pacemaker or subcutaneous implant * Pregnant women or women who have recently given birth * Use of antidepressants, anti-inflammatory drugs or anxiolytics within the last 6 months
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Numerical Pain Scale | at baseline and week 5 | It was used to assess neck pain. Pain is assessed using a rating scale of 1-10. Higher scores indicate more severe pain. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure-Pain Threshold Measurement | at baseline and week 5 | A manual algometer was used to assess the pain threshold. The pain threshold increases as the amount of pressure applied increases in kilograms. |
| The Neck Bournemouth Questionnaire | at baseline and week 5 | The study was used to assess the severity of neck pain, functional limitations, and biopsychosocial factors. This indicates that neck pain has a greater impact on the person's life (high level of limitation/pain). |
| The Neck Disability Index | at baseline and week 5 | It was used to examine disability. An increase in the score means an increase in disability. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed