This study examined the effects of pain neuroscience education plus exercise when compared with exercise only in university students with chronic idiopathic neck pain.
This study examined the effects of pain neuroscience education plus exercise when compared with exercise only in university students with chronic idiopathic neck pain. University students with chronic neck pain were randomly allocated to receive pain neuroscience education and exercise or exercise only and assessed at baseline, after the intervention and at 3 months follow up. Outcome variables were pain intensity (primary outcome), disability, fear of movement, catastrophizing, knowledge of pain neurophysiology, pressure pain thresholds and neck and scapular muscle endurance.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
52
Exercises were aimed at increasing the endurance and strength of the deep neck flexor and extensor muscles and of the scapular stabilizer muscles.
Pain neuroscience education covered the neurophysiology of pain, transition from acute to chronic pain and the nervous system ability to modulate the pain experience.
Pain intensity
Measured using the visual analogue scale
Time frame: At the beginning
Pain intensity
Measured using the visual analogue scale
Time frame: 5 weeks
Pain intensity
Measured using the visual analogue scale
Time frame: At 3 months
Deep neck flexor endurance
Method of assessment - physical test; the participant is in supine and he/she is asked to flex the upper cervical spine, move their head away from the couch approximately 2.5 cm and then maintain this position for as long as possible. The test result is the time (in seconds) that each participant holds the position.
Time frame: At the beginning
Deep neck flexor endurance
Method of assessment - physical test; the participant is in supine and he/she is asked to flex the upper cervical spine, move their head away from the couch approximately 2.5 cm and then maintain this position for as long as possible. The test result is the time (in seconds) that each participant holds the position.
Time frame: 5 weeks
Neck extensors endurance
Method of assessment - physical test; the participant is in prone and position, head neutral, and supporting 2 Kg weight hanging from it. Participants were asked to support this weight for as long as possible while maintaining the neutral head positioning. The test result is the time (in seconds) that each participant holds the position.
Time frame: At the beginning
Neck extensors endurance
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Method of assessment - physical test; the participant is in prone and position, head neutral, and supporting 2 Kg weight hanging from it. Participants were asked to support this weight for as long as possible while maintaining the neutral head positioning. The test result is the time (in seconds) that each participant holds the position.
Time frame: 5 weeks
Scapular stabilizers endurance
Method of assessment - physical test; Method of assessment - physical test; Participants were standing with the shoulders and elbows flexed at 90º, while pulling both extremities of a dynamometer to reach 1 Kg of force. The test result is the time (in seconds) that each participants was able to hold this position.
Time frame: At the beginning
Scapular stabilizers endurance
Method of assessment - physical test; Method of assessment - physical test; Participants were standing with the shoulders and elbows flexed at 90º, while pulling both extremities of a dynamometer to reach 1 Kg of force. The test result is the time (in seconds) that each participants was able to hold this position.
Time frame: 5 weeks
Pressure pain thresholds
Method of assessment - psychophysical test; Pressure was applied over the trapezius and at C5-C6 with a algometer until the participant first felt pain. The results was the quantity of force (in Kgf) supported by participants.
Time frame: At the beginning
Pressure pain thresholds
Method of assessment - psychophysical test; Pressure was applied over the trapezius and at C5-C6 with a algometer until the participant first felt pain. The results was the quantity of force (in Kgf) supported by participants.
Time frame: 5 weeks
Disability
Method of assessment - the neck pain disability index
Time frame: At the beginning
Disability
Method of assessment - the neck pain disability index
Time frame: 5 weeks
Disability
Method of assessment - the neck pain disability index
Time frame: 3 months
catastrophizing
Method of assessment - Pain catastrophising scale
Time frame: at beginning
catastrophizing
Method of assessment - Pain catastrophising scale
Time frame: 5 weeks
catastrophizing
Method of assessment - Pain catastrophising scale
Time frame: 3 months
fear of movement
method of assessment - the Tampa Scale
Time frame: At the beginning
fear of movement
method of assessment - the Tampa Scale
Time frame: 5 weeks
fear of movement
method of assessment - the Tampa Scale
Time frame: 3 months
Knowledge of pain neurophysiology
method of assessment - scale; the neurophysiology of pain questionnaire
Time frame: at beginning
Knowledge of pain neurophysiology
method of assessment - scale; the neurophysiology of pain questionnaire
Time frame: 5 weeks
Knowledge of pain neurophysiology
method of assessment - scale; the neurophysiology of pain questionnaire
Time frame: 3 months