Mendes Fernandes T, Méndez-Sánchez R, Puente-González AS, Martín-Vallejo FJ, Falla D, Vila-Chã C. A randomized controlled trial on the effects of "Global Postural Re-education" versus neck specific exercise on pain, disability, postural control, and neuromuscular features in women with chronic non-specific neck pain.
Eur J Phys Rehabil Med 2023;
59:42-53. [PMID:
36598342 PMCID:
PMC10035445 DOI:
10.23736/s1973-9087.22.07554-2]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Neck pain is associated with decreased health-related quality of life, decreased work productivity, and increased visits to health care providers.
AIM
The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of "Global Postural Re-education" (GPR) versus a neck specific exercise (SE) program on neck pain, disability, cervical range of movement, postural stability, and activity of the superficial cervical flexor muscles.
DESIGN
A parallel-group and single-blinded clinical trial.
SETTING
Community interventions.
POPULATION
Fifty women with non-specific chronic neck pain (NSCNP).
METHODS
Participants were randomly assigned to one of the two intervention groups (GPR [N.=25] or SE [N.=25]). Both interventions consisted of eight sessions of ~40 minutes duration, performed twice a week, for four weeks. Outcomes included neck pain intensity and disability, cervical range of motion (CROM), postural sway, and activity of the superficial neck flexor muscles during a cranio-cervical flexion test (CCFT). All outcomes were assessed twice before the intervention and immediately following eight treatment sessions over four weeks.
RESULTS
Both interventions were equally effective in reducing neck pain (P<0.001, ŋp2=0.770) and disability (P<0.001, ŋp2=0.306), improving neck mobility (P<0.001, 0.385≤ŋp2≤0.623, for all measurements) and decreasing the activity of the superficial cervical flexor muscles (P>0.001). Neither intervention altered postural sway.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results revealed that GPR and SE induced significant positive results in all measures apart from postural stability but with no difference between the interventions.
CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT
"Global Postural Re-education" (GPR) and neck SE interventions are equally effective in reducing neck pain and disability, and improving neck mobility in women with NSCNP. Overall, this study indicates that GPR and SE interventions can be used to effectively manage patients with NSCNP.
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