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BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders Jan 2022Neck pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders, having an age-standardised prevalence rate of 27.0 per 1000 population in 2019. This literature review... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Neck pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders, having an age-standardised prevalence rate of 27.0 per 1000 population in 2019. This literature review describes the global epidemiology and trends associated with neck pain, before exploring the psychological and biological risk factors associated with the initiation and progression of neck pain.
METHODS
The PubMed database and Google Scholar search engine were searched up to May 21, 2021. Studies were included that used human subjects and evaluated the effects of biological or psychological factors on the occurrence or progression of neck pain, or reported its epidemiology.
RESULTS
Psychological risk factors, such as long-term stress, lack of social support, anxiety, and depression are important risk factors for neck pain. In terms of the biological risks, neck pain might occur as a consequence of certain diseases, such as neuromusculoskeletal disorders or autoimmune diseases. There is also evidence that demographic characteristics, such as age and sex, can influence the prevalence and development of neck pain, although further research is needed.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings of the present study provide a comprehensive and informative overview that should be useful for the prevention, diagnosis, and management of neck pain.
Topics: Anxiety; Humans; Neck Pain; Risk Factors
PubMed: 34980079
DOI: 10.1186/s12891-021-04957-4 -
Trials Jul 2020Nonspecific chronic neck pain is a fairly common disorder that causes a great impact, and it is greatly influenced by psychosocial factors. Among a number of treatment... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Nonspecific chronic neck pain is a fairly common disorder that causes a great impact, and it is greatly influenced by psychosocial factors. Among a number of treatment modalities described for its management, the most common approach is based on manual therapy and specific therapeutic exercise, which have shown a moderate effect on subjects with chronic non-specific neck pain. However, the effect times of these treatments have not been accurately detailed. Our study aims to break down and compare the effects of two experimental treatments based on manual therapy and therapeutic exercise.
METHODS
The short-term and mid-term changes produced by different therapies on subjects with non-specific chronic neck pain were studied. The sample was randomized divided into three groups: manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, and placebo. As dependent variables of our research, we studied (a) pain, based on the visual analog scale and the pressure pain threshold, and (b) cervical disability, through the Neck Disability Index (NDI). Outcomes were registered on week 1, week 4, and week 12. The findings were analyzed statistically considering a 5% significance level (P ≤ 0.05).
RESULTS
No statistically significant differences (P 0.05) were obtained between the experimental groups, if they exist against the control group. Nonetheless, we found that manual therapy improved perceived pain before than therapeutic exercise, while therapeutic exercise reduced cervical disability before than manual therapy. Effect size (R) shows medium and large effects for both experimental treatments.
CONCLUSION
There are no differences between groups in short and medium terms. Manual therapy achieves a faster reduction in pain perception than therapeutic exercise. Therapeutic exercise reduces disability faster than manual therapy. Clinical improvement could potentially be influenced by central processes.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
Brazilian Clinical Trial Registry, RBR-2vj7sw. Registered on 28 November 2018.
Topics: Brazil; Chronic Pain; Exercise Therapy; Humans; Musculoskeletal Manipulations; Neck Pain; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 32723399
DOI: 10.1186/s13063-020-04610-w -
American Family Physician Aug 2020Neck pain is a common presenting symptom in the primary care setting and causes significant disability. The broad differential diagnosis requires an efficient but global... (Review)
Review
Neck pain is a common presenting symptom in the primary care setting and causes significant disability. The broad differential diagnosis requires an efficient but global assessment; therefore, emphasis is typically placed on red flags that can assist in the early recognition and treatment of more concerning diagnoses, such as traumatic injuries, infection, malignancy, vascular emergencies, and other inflammatory conditions. The critical element in appropriate diagnosis and management of these conditions is an accurate patient history. Physical examination findings complement and refine diagnostic cues from the history but often lack the specificity to be of value independently. Diagnostic tools such as imaging and electrodiagnostic tests have variable utility, especially in chronic or degenerative conditions. Treatment of mechanical or nonneuropathic neck pain includes short-term use of medications and possibly injections. However, long-term data for these interventions are limited. Acupuncture and other complementary and alternative therapies may be helpful in some cases. Advanced imaging and surgical evaluation may be warranted for patients with worsening neurologic function or persistent pain.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Curriculum; Diagnostic Tests, Routine; Education, Medical, Continuing; Female; Guidelines as Topic; Humans; Male; Medical History Taking; Middle Aged; Neck Pain
PubMed: 32735440
DOI: No ID Found -
BMJ Clinical Evidence Aug 2008Non-specific neck pain has a postural or mechanical basis and affects about two thirds of people at some stage, especially in middle age. Acute neck pain resolves within... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Non-specific neck pain has a postural or mechanical basis and affects about two thirds of people at some stage, especially in middle age. Acute neck pain resolves within days or weeks, but may become chronic in about 10% of people. Whiplash injuries follow sudden acceleration-deceleration of the neck, such as in road traffic or sporting accidents. Up to 40% of people continue to report symptoms 15 years after the accident, although this varies between countries.
METHODS AND OUTCOMES
We conducted a systematic review and aimed to answer the following clinical questions: What are the effects of treatments for people with non-specific neck pain without severe neurological deficit? What are the effects of treatments for acute whiplash injury? What are the effects of treatments for chronic whiplash injury? What are the effects of treatments for neck pain with radiculopathy? We searched: Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and other important databases up to May 2007 (BMJ Clinical Evidence reviews are updated periodically; please check our website for the most up-to-date version of this review). We included harms alerts from relevant organisations such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
RESULTS
We found 91 systematic reviews, RCTs, or observational studies that met our inclusion criteria. We performed a GRADE evaluation of the quality of the evidence for interventions.
CONCLUSIONS
In this systematic review we present information relating to the effectiveness and safety of the following interventions: acupuncture, biofeedback, drug treatments (analgesics, antidepressants, epidural steroid injections, muscle relaxants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs]), early mobilisation, early return to normal activity, exercise, heat or cold, manipulation (alone or plus exercise), mobilisation, multimodal treatment, patient education, percutaneous radiofrequency neurotomy, physical treatments, postural techniques (yoga, pilates, Alexander technique), pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) treatment, soft collars and special pillows, spray and stretch, surgery, traction, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).
Topics: Humans; Neck; Neck Pain; Physical Therapy Modalities; Radiculopathy; Time Factors; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation
PubMed: 19445809
DOI: No ID Found -
Europa Medicophysica Mar 2007Nonspecific (simple) neck pain is the commonest cause of neck symptoms and results from postural and mechanical causes. It includes pain following whiplash injury... (Review)
Review
Nonspecific (simple) neck pain is the commonest cause of neck symptoms and results from postural and mechanical causes. It includes pain following whiplash injury provided there is no bony injury or objective neurological deficit. The anatomy of the cervical spine is described, with the degenerative changes that are seen in patients with nonspecific neck pain, but also occur with ageing. The poor correlation between the degree of degeneration and presence and severity of symptoms is noted. A lack of specific pathology is also a feature of whiplash. The epidemiology, clinical presentation, investigation, and complications of nonspecific neck pain are described with a discussion of the controversial aspects of natural history, prognosis and therapy. Chronic whiplash is very common in some countries, but nonexistent in other countries and the factors which might explain this difference are considered. There is a great need for better quality studies to explore pathogenesis, natural history and factors including therapy that influence outcome.
Topics: Cervical Vertebrae; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Neck Pain; Whiplash Injuries
PubMed: 17369782
DOI: No ID Found -
International Journal of Environmental... Feb 2021Neck pain is a prevalent health problem, largely reported in adult patients. However, very recent data show that new technologies are inducing a shift in the prevalence...
Neck pain is a prevalent health problem, largely reported in adult patients. However, very recent data show that new technologies are inducing a shift in the prevalence of this relevant issue from adulthood to all of the pediatric ages. In fact, the precocious and inappropriate use of personal computers and especially cell phones might be related to the development of a complex cluster of clinical symptoms commonly defined as "text neck syndrome". The purpose of this article is to analyze the new phenomenon of the "text neck syndrome", the underlying causes and risk factors of musculoskeletal pain, that can be modified by changes in routine life, in different cultures and habits, and on the "text neck syndrome" as increased stresses on the cervical spine, that can lead to cervical degeneration along with other developmental, medical, psychological, and social complications. Findings support the contention that an appropriate approach for an early diagnosis and treatment is crucial to properly evaluate this emerging issue worldwide in children and adolescents who spend a lot of time watching smartphones and computers; additional research with more rigorous study designs and objective measures of musculoskeletal pain are needed to confirm significant relationships. Existing evidence is limited by non-objective measures and the subjective nature of musculoskeletal pain.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Cell Phone; Child; Computers; Humans; Musculoskeletal Pain; Neck Pain; Text Messaging
PubMed: 33562204
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18041565 -
American Family Physician Aug 2019
Review
Topics: Acupuncture Therapy; Chronic Pain; Exercise Therapy; Humans; Low-Level Light Therapy; Massage; Mind-Body Therapies; Neck Pain; Physical Therapy Modalities; Relaxation Therapy
PubMed: 31361100
DOI: No ID Found -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jan 2015Neck pain is common, disabling and costly. Exercise is one treatment approach. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Neck pain is common, disabling and costly. Exercise is one treatment approach.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effectiveness of exercises to improve pain, disability, function, patient satisfaction, quality of life and global perceived effect in adults with neck pain.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched MEDLINE, MANTIS, ClinicalTrials.gov and three other computerized databases up to between January and May 2014 plus additional sources (reference checking, citation searching, contact with authors).
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing single therapeutic exercise with a control for adults suffering from neck pain with or without cervicogenic headache or radiculopathy.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently conducted trial selection, data extraction, 'Risk of bias' assessment and clinical relevance. The quality of the evidence was assessed using GRADE. Meta-analyses were performed for relative risk and standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) after judging clinical and statistical heterogeneity.
MAIN RESULTS
Twenty-seven trials (2485 analyzed /3005 randomized participants) met our inclusion criteria.For acute neck pain only, no evidence was found.For chronic neck pain, moderate quality evidence supports 1) cervico-scapulothoracic and upper extremity strength training to improve pain of a moderate to large amount immediately post treatment [pooled SMD (SMDp) -0.71 (95% CI: -1.33 to -0.10)] and at short-term follow-up; 2) scapulothoracic and upper extremity endurance training for slight beneficial effect on pain at immediate post treatment and short-term follow-up; 3) combined cervical, shoulder and scapulothoracic strengthening and stretching exercises varied from a small to large magnitude of beneficial effect on pain at immediate post treatment [SMDp -0.33 (95% CI: -0.55 to -0.10)] and up to long-term follow-up and a medium magnitude of effect improving function at both immediate post treatment and at short-term follow-up [SMDp -0.45 (95%CI: -0.72 to -0.18)]; 4) cervico-scapulothoracic strengthening/stabilization exercises to improve pain and function at intermediate term [SMDp -14.90 (95% CI:-22.40 to -7.39)]; 5) Mindfulness exercises (Qigong) minimally improved function but not global perceived effect at short term. Low evidence suggests 1) breathing exercises; 2) general fitness training; 3) stretching alone; and 4) feedback exercises combined with pattern synchronization may not change pain or function at immediate post treatment to short-term follow-up. Very low evidence suggests neuromuscular eye-neck co-ordination/proprioceptive exercises may improve pain and function at short-term follow-up.For chronic cervicogenic headache, moderate quality evidence supports static-dynamic cervico-scapulothoracic strengthening/endurance exercises including pressure biofeedback immediate post treatment and probably improves pain, function and global perceived effect at long-term follow-up. Low grade evidence supports sustained natural apophyseal glides (SNAG) exercises.For acute radiculopathy, low quality evidence suggests a small benefit for pain reduction at immediate post treatment with cervical stretch/strengthening/stabilization exercises.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
No high quality evidence was found, indicating that there is still uncertainty about the effectiveness of exercise for neck pain. Using specific strengthening exercises as a part of routine practice for chronic neck pain, cervicogenic headache and radiculopathy may be beneficial. Research showed the use of strengthening and endurance exercises for the cervico-scapulothoracic and shoulder may be beneficial in reducing pain and improving function. However, when only stretching exercises were used no beneficial effects may be expected. Future research should explore optimal dosage.
Topics: Acute Pain; Adult; Chronic Pain; Female; Headache; Humans; Male; Manipulation, Chiropractic; Neck; Neck Pain; Pain Management; Physical Therapy Modalities; Radiculopathy; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 25629215
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004250.pub5 -
JPMA. the Journal of the Pakistan... Mar 2020To compare the effectiveness of manual therapy to the cervical spine with and without manual therapy to the upper thoracic spine in the management of non-specific neck... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Effectiveness of manual therapy to the cervical spine with and without manual therapy to the upper thoracic spine in the management of non-specific neck pain; a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVES
To compare the effectiveness of manual therapy to the cervical spine with and without manual therapy to the upper thoracic spine in the management of non-specific neck pain.
METHODS
The randomized controlled trial was conducted at 3 different hospitals in Peshawar, Pakistan, from October 2016 to January 2017, and comprised patients suffering from non-specific neck pain aged 25-60 years. The control group received cervical manual therapy alone while the experimental group received cervical along with thoracic manual therapy for 2 weeks. Data was analysed using SPSS 20.
RESULTS
Of the 37 subjects, 20(54%) were cases and 17(46%) were controls.The overall mean age was 35.9±9.6 years. There was no significant difference between the groups at baseline in terms of the levels of pain (p=0.125) and disability (p=0.392). The experimental group showed greater reduction in pain (p=0.02) and disability (p=0.03) compared to the control group.
CONCLUSIONS
Cervical along with thoracic manual therapy reduced neck pain and associated neck disability more effectively than cervical manual therapy alone.
Topics: Adult; Cervical Vertebrae; Female; Humans; Male; Manipulation, Spinal; Middle Aged; Musculoskeletal Manipulations; Neck Pain; Pain Management; Pain Measurement; Range of Motion, Articular; Thoracic Vertebrae; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 32207414
DOI: 10.5455/JPMA.300523 -
Journal of Physiotherapy Jan 2021
Topics: Humans; Neck Pain; Physical Therapy Modalities
PubMed: 33358545
DOI: 10.1016/j.jphys.2020.12.005