Abstract
BACKGROUND: While both manipulative treatment and physical exercises are used to treat cervical pain, it remains unclear which is most effective. OBJECTIVE: To compare the short-term effects of high-velocity, low-amplitude manipulation techniques (MT) with those of home-exercise (HE) with stretching and low-intensity (10% of max) isometric contractions on pain and function. METHODS: Single-blind randomized clinical trial was performed. A total of 27 asymptomatic subjects were randomly assigned to 2 groups: manipulation techniques (MT, n= 13) and home exercise (HE, n= 14). The visual analogue scale (VAS); neck disability index (NDI); pressure pain thresholds; cervical spine range of motion and electromyography during the cranio-cervical flexion test was measured before and one week after the intervention. RESULTS: After the intervention, both groups showed improved (P< 0.05) NDI and VAS scores and flexion in both rotation ranges compared with the pre-intervention values. For the NDI, pain intensity, and neck flexion, the effects sizes were large; for the majority of the other measurements, the effect sizes were small to moderate. The MT group showed significantly better results than the HE group for 2 out of 17 tests. CONCLUSIONS: Both interventions improved function and pain after one week, with only marginal between-group differences in favor of MT.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Journal | Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation |
Volume | 31 |
Issue number | 1 |
Pages (from-to) | 133-145 |
Number of pages | 13 |
ISSN | 1053-8127 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 6 Feb 2018 |
Keywords
- Journal Article
- thoracic vertebrae
- neck pain
- electromyography
- cervical vertebrae
- Spinal manipulation
- Single-Blind Method
- Neck Pain/diagnosis
- Chronic Pain/diagnosis
- Follow-Up Studies
- Humans
- Middle Aged
- Male
- Treatment Outcome
- Manipulation, Spinal/methods
- Young Adult
- Pain Threshold/physiology
- Time Factors
- Adult
- Female
- Electromyography
- Exercise Therapy/methods
- Pain Measurement