This was a randomized controlled trial conducted to examine the changes in the pain, physical function, quality of life, and kinesiophobia of participants with non-specific neck pain in Marmara University Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department. This study was approved by the Clinical Studies Ethics Committee of Marmara University Faculty of Health Sciences in January 2022 and was carried out in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. The participants were informed about the study and their consent was obtained.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
60
The exercise program consisted of exercises by recommended guidelines for nonspecific neck pain patients which includes various strengthening, stretching, and proprioceptive exercises with progression.
The exercise program consisted of exercises by recommended guidelines for nonspecific neck pain patients which includes various strengthening, stretching, and proprioceptive exercises with progression.
Marmara University
Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)
Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)
Pain intensity was measured with a 0-10 cm scale. Participants were asked to rate their pain as "0: no pain and 10: excruciating pain" on the 0-10 cm scale (10). The pain reported by the patients was recorded in centimeters.
Time frame: The pain was measured at baseline, mid-treatment in the 4th week, at the end of treatment in the 8th week, and a long-term follow-up assessment in the 16th week.
Neck Disability Index (NDI)
The participants' level of disability related to neck pain was evaluated using NDI. The NDI consists of 10 questions scored between 0 to 5 to measure disability related to limitation or pain (12). Questions include neck pain intensity, personal care, lifting, reading, headaches, concentration, work, driving, sleep, and leisure activities. The scores range from 0 to 50 with higher scores indicating a more severe disability. The Turkish version of NDI has been shown to be valid and reliable in patients with neck pain
Time frame: The disability was measured at baseline, mid-treatment in the 4th week, at the end of treatment in the 8th week, and a long-term follow-up assessment in the 16th week.
Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK)
The TSK is a scale developed by Vlaeyen et al. consisting of 17 questions that assess kinesiophobia. For each question, a 4-point Likert scoring (1 = strongly disagree, 4 = completely agree) is used. After reversing items 4, 8, 12, and 16, a total score is calculated. The total score ranges from 17-68. A higher score indicates a higher level of kinesiophobia. The Turkish version of TSK has been shown to be valid and reliable.
Time frame: The kinesiophobia was measured at baseline, mid-treatment in the 4th week, at the end of treatment in the 8th week, and a long-term follow-up assessment in the 16th week.
Cervical Mobility
The range of neck extension, flexion, and right and left lateral flexion were measured using a universal goniometer. For flexion and extension measurement, the participant sat on the side of the physiotherapist. The pivot point of the goniometer was placed at the acromion. The fixed arm of the goniometer was parallel to the ground. The measuring arm followed the midline of the ear. While measuring flexion, the participant was asked to try to touch his/her chin to the chest and for extension, to move his/her face parallel to the ceiling. For lateral flexion, pivot point of the goniometer was placed on the spinal ridge of C7. The fixed arm of the goniometer was kept parallel to the ground. The measuring arm followed the spinal projections of the vertebrae. The participant was asked to move his/her ear towards the shoulder.
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Time frame: The cervical mobility was measured at baseline and at the end of treatment in the 8th week.
Short Form-36 (SF-36)
The quality of life was assessed using SF-36, which consists of 36 items. The Sf-36 has a total of 8 subscales including physical functioning, limitation due to physical problems (physical role), limitation due to emotional problems (emotional role), vitality, bodily pain, mental health, general health, and social functioning (19). The Turkish version of the SF-36 has been shown to have validity and reliability.
Time frame: The quality of life was measured at baseline and at the end of treatment in the 8th week.