Electrotherapy for neck pain

Abstract

We cannot make any definite statements on the efficacy and clinical usefulness of electrotherapy modalities for neck pain. Since the quality of evidence is low or very low, we are uncertain about the estimate of the effect. Further research is very likely to change both the estimate of effect and our confidence in the results. Current evidence for PEMF, rMS, and TENS shows that these modalities might be more effective than placebo but not other interventions. Funding bias should be considered, especially in PEMF studies. Galvanic current, iontophoresis, electric muscle stimulation(EMS), and static magnetic field did not reduce pain or disability. Future trials on these interventions should have larger patient samples and include more precise standardization and description of all treatment characteristics.

Neck motion, motor control, pain and disability: A longitudinal study of associations in neck pain patients in physiotherapy treatment

“…Manipulation/mobilization (Gross et al, 2015b) Electrotherapy (Kroeling et al, 2013) Physical modalities (Graham et al, 2013) Massage (Patel et al, 2012) Therapeutic exercise (Cheng et al, 2015b, Gross et al, 2015a Patient education Dry needling Kinesio taping (Parreira Pdo et al, 2014) Cognitive behavioral treatment (Monticone et al, 2015b) Current guidelines and evidence recommend the inclusion of active exercise, consisting of strengthening exercises, in the management of chronic neck pain (O'Riordan et al, 2014). …”

Evidence-Based Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Strategies for Patients with Cervical Radiculopathy Due to Disc Herniation

“…A Cochrane review on electrotherapeutic modalities for neck pain found that TENS was more effective than sham TENS based on very low-quality evidence in combined groups of patients with neck pain with or without radicular findings (28).…”

Are We Being Unfair to Physical Therapy Agents?

“…Boyun ağrılı hastalarda yapılan 20 çalışma, 1239 hastanın irdelendiği derlemede, çalışmaların çelişkili sonuçlar vermesi, heterojen tedavi alt tiplerinin olması, protokollerin farklılığı gibi sorunlara rağmen, pulse elektromanyetik alan tedavisi plasebodan daha faydalı bulunmuştur (48).…”

“…Bununla birlikte derlemelerin hepsinin ortak görüşü, nöromüs-küler elektriksel stimülasyonun optimal uygulama şekillerine yö-nelik araştırma yapılması gerekliliğidir. Mevcut araştırmalardaki veri eksikleri, bu alanda metaanaliz yapmaya olanak sağlama-maktadırlar (53)(54)(55)(56).…”