Evidence of Physiotherapy Interventions for Patients with Chronic Neck Pain: A Systematic Review of Randomised Controlled Trials. 2013

Pia Damgaard, and Else Marie Bartels, and Inge Ris, and Robin Christensen, and Birgit Juul-Kristensen
Research Unit of Musculoskeletal Function and Physiotherapy, Institute of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense M, Denmark; Department of Rehabilitation, Aeroe Municipality, 5970 Aeroeskoebing, Denmark.

Chronic neck pain (CNP) is common and costly, and the effect of physiotherapeutic interventions on the condition is unclear. We reviewed the literature for evidence of effect of physiotherapy interventions on patients with CNP. Five bibliographic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and PEDro) were systematically searched. Randomised, placebo and active-treatment-controlled trials including physiotherapy interventions for adults with CNP were selected. Data were extracted primary outcome was pain. Risk of bias was appraised. Effect of an intervention was assessed, weighted to risk of bias. 42 trials reporting on randomised comparisons of various physiotherapy interventions and control conditions were eligible for inclusion involving 3919 patients with CNP. Out of these, 23 were unclear or at high risk of bias, and their results were considered moderate- or low-quality evidence. Nineteen were at low risk of bias, and here eight trials found effect on pain of a physiotherapy intervention. Only exercise therapy, focusing on strength and endurance training, and multimodal physiotherapy, cognitive-behavioural interventions, massage, manipulations, laser therapy, and to some extent also TNS appear to have an effect on CNP. However, sufficient evidence for application of a specific physiotherapy modality or aiming at a specific patient subgroup is not available.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries

Related Publications

Pia Damgaard, and Else Marie Bartels, and Inge Ris, and Robin Christensen, and Birgit Juul-Kristensen
January 2010, Disability and rehabilitation,
Pia Damgaard, and Else Marie Bartels, and Inge Ris, and Robin Christensen, and Birgit Juul-Kristensen
January 2022, Therapeutic advances in chronic disease,
Pia Damgaard, and Else Marie Bartels, and Inge Ris, and Robin Christensen, and Birgit Juul-Kristensen
September 2023, Journal of clinical nursing,
Pia Damgaard, and Else Marie Bartels, and Inge Ris, and Robin Christensen, and Birgit Juul-Kristensen
November 2022, Toxins,
Pia Damgaard, and Else Marie Bartels, and Inge Ris, and Robin Christensen, and Birgit Juul-Kristensen
January 2021, Emergency medicine journal : EMJ,
Pia Damgaard, and Else Marie Bartels, and Inge Ris, and Robin Christensen, and Birgit Juul-Kristensen
December 2019, Physiotherapy theory and practice,
Pia Damgaard, and Else Marie Bartels, and Inge Ris, and Robin Christensen, and Birgit Juul-Kristensen
November 2020, British journal of sports medicine,
Pia Damgaard, and Else Marie Bartels, and Inge Ris, and Robin Christensen, and Birgit Juul-Kristensen
July 2022, Journal of bodywork and movement therapies,
Pia Damgaard, and Else Marie Bartels, and Inge Ris, and Robin Christensen, and Birgit Juul-Kristensen
February 2023, Contemporary clinical trials,
Pia Damgaard, and Else Marie Bartels, and Inge Ris, and Robin Christensen, and Birgit Juul-Kristensen
August 2018, British journal of sports medicine,
Copied contents to your clipboard!