Health related quality of life improvement in chronic non-specific neck pain: secondary analysis from a single blinded, randomized clinical trial

Abstract

BackgroundChronic non-specific neck pain is related to limited cervical mobility, impaired function, neck muscles myofascial pain syndrome, and stress at work. The aforementioned factors are strongly related and may lead to a negative impact on health-related quality of life. There are some effective conservative Physical therapy interventions for treating chronic non-specific neck pain. Currently, Deep Dry Needling is emerging as an alternative for improving symptoms and consequently, the quality of life in patients with chronic non-specific neck pain. The purpose of the study was to examine the effectiveness of Deep Dry Needling of myofascial trigger points on health-related quality of life improvement, as a secondary analysis, in people with chronic non-specific neck pain.MethodsA randomized parallel-group blinded controlled clinical trial was conducted at a public Primary Health Care Centre in Madrid, Spain, from January 2011 to September 2014. One hundred thirty subjects with chronic non-specific neck pain and active myofascial trigger points in neck muscles were randomly allocated into two groups. Subjects in the intervention group (n = 65) were treated with Deep Dry Needling in active myofascial trigger points plus stretching in neck muscles; Control group (n = 65) received only stretching. Both interventions lasted 2 weeks, 2 sessions per week. Health-related quality of life was measured with Short Form-36 (SF-36), in 5 assessments: at baseline, after intervention period; and at 1, 3 and 6 months after intervention.ResultsFor both groups, SF-36 mean values increased in all dimensions in every assessment. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found in favor of the intervention group for all dimensions at the last assessment. For some dimensions (physical function, physical role, social function and vitality), the evidence was more consistent from the beginning.ConclusionsDeep Dry Needling plus stretching is more effective than stretching alone for Health-related quality of life improvement, especially for physical function, physical role, social function and vitality dimensions, in people with non-specific neck pain.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials ISRCTN22726482. Registered 9 October 2011.

Needling: is there a point?

“…While most commonly DN is directed at trigger points [2], its contemporary use also targets tendons [3,4], entheses [5], periosteum [6], scar tissue [7], and fascia [8] to reduce local and referred pain, lessen spasticity [9,10], eliminate neural entrapments [11], increase range of motion [12], or normalize muscle activation patterns [13]. DN is a safe anatomy-driven procedure [14], although there are inherent risks when safety precautions are not taken into account [15][16][17][18].…”

Role of Gender in Improvement of Depressive Symptoms Among Patients Undergoing Cervical Spine Procedures

“…8 Conversely, investigators focusing on gender differences alone found no significant difference in pain, disability, and overall quality of life between men and women following lumbar procedures. 9 While earlier studies focused on gender differences in lower back pain studies, pathology of the cervical spine can also be associated with debilitating pain 10 and can be successfully treated with procedures such as anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) or artificial disk replacement (ADR).…”

Myofascial trigger points in subjects with non-specific neck pain

“…People have a 67% likelihood of developing neck pain at least once in their lives [1]. Repetitive motions and the use of smart phones and tablets in abnormal head postures can stress the head, neck, and shoulder areas.…”