Manual Therapy versus Localisation (Tactile, Sensory Training) in Patients with Non-Specific Neck Pain: A Randomised Clinical Pilot Trial

Abstract

Manual therapy (MT) techniques typically incorporate localised touch on the skin with the application of specific kinetic forces. The contribution of localised touch to the effectiveness of MT techniques has not been evaluated. This study investigated the immediate effects of MT versus localisation training (LT) on pain intensity and range of movement (ROM) for neck pain. In this single-blind randomised controlled trial thirty eligible neck pain volunteers (23 females and 7 males), aged 28.63 ± 12.49 years, were randomly allocated to MT or to a motionless (LT) group. A single three-minute treatment session was delivered to each group’s cervico-thoracic area. The LT involved tactile sensory stimulation applied randomly to one out of a nine-block grid. Subjects were asked to identify the number of the square being touched, reflecting a different location on the region of skin. MT involved three-minute anteroposterior (AP) glides and sustained natural apophyseal glides (SNAG) techniques. Pre- and post-intervention pain intensity were assessed using a pressure pain threshold (PPT) algometer and the numeric pain rating scale (NPRS). Neck ROM was recorded with a bubble inclinometer. Improvements in ROM and self-reported pain were recorded in both groups (p < 0.001) without differences in NPRS, ROM or PPT scores between groups (p > 0.05). Tactile sensory training (localisation) was as effective as MT in reducing neck pain, suggesting a component of MT’s analgesic effect to be related with the element of localised touch rather than the forces induced during passive movements.

Integrated Neuromuscular Inhibition Technique Lebih Efektif daripada Muscle Energy Technique pada Penderita Non-Specific Neck Pain

“…6 Demikian pula, mobilisasi sendi menggunakan metode Mulligan seperti Sustained Natur ektifitas Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glides (SNAGs) terbukti efektif dalam kasus nyeri leher non-spesifik. 7 Di samping itu, metode mobilisasi jaringan lunak seperti teknik energi otot, teknik pelepasan miofascial, dan teknik pijat spesifik juga terbukti efektif dalam menciptakan perbaikan yang signifikan pada nyeri leher non-spesifik. 8 Hal tersebut mengindikasikan bahwa beberapa teknik terapi manual telah terbukti efektif, meskipun teknik energi otot memiliki lebih banyak bukti dari penelitian terkait penurunan nyeri dan perbaikan Range of Motion (ROM) pada nyeri leher non-spesifik.…”