Thermotherapy self-treatment for neck pain relief-A randomized controlled trial

Cramer, H; Baumgarten, C; Choi, KE; Lauche, R; Saha, FJ; Musial, F; Dobos, G

Thermotherapy self-treatment for neck pain relief-A randomized controlled trial

Cramer, H

Baumgarten, C Choi, KE Lauche, R

Saha, FJ Musial, F Dobos, G

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: European Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2012, 4 (4)
Issue Date:: 2012-12-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Cramer, H https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3640-8046	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Baumgarten, C	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Choi, KE	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Lauche, R https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4171-7935	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Saha, FJ	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Musial, F	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Dobos, G	en_US
dc.date.issued	2012-12-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	European Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2012, 4 (4)	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	1876-3820	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/114808
dc.description.abstract	Aim of the study: To evaluate the potential of thermotherapy self-treatment in relieving pain and improving sensory function in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain. Materials and methods: Fifty patients (74% female; mean age 57.18 ± 12.3. years) with chronic mechanical neck pain were randomized to either treatment group (n= 25) or control group (n= 25). Treatment group used a mud heat pad once a day for 20. min over a period of 14. days while the control group was left untreated. Both groups were allowed to continue self-directed usual care. Primary outcome measure was neck pain intensity as assessed by a 100. mm visual analog scale (VAS) after 14. days. Secondary outcome measures included a pain diary (daily measure of pain intensity on a 100. mm VAS), functional disability (neck disability index; NDI) and health-related quality of life (short form-36; SF-36). Physiological measures included mechanical detection threshold (MDT), pressure pain threshold (PPT) and vibration detection threshold (VDT) at the site of maximal pain and in the adjacent region. Results: Significant group differences occurred for pain intensity (mean difference -16.00. mm; 95% confidence interval -26.07; -5.92; P= 0.003) and pain diary (P= 0.013). Group differences for MDT and VDT occurred at the site of maximal pain (MDT: P< 0.001; VDT: P= 0.035) and in the adjacent region (MDT: P= 0.042; VDT: P= 0.008). No group differences were found in NDI, SF-36 or PPT. Conclusions: Thermotherapy self-treatment seems to be effective in relieving pain and improving sensory functioning in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain. Further research is needed to underpin these preliminary results. © 2012 Elsevier GmbH.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	European Journal of Integrative Medicine	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.eujim.2012.04.001	en_US
dc.title	Thermotherapy self-treatment for neck pain relief-A randomized controlled trial	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	4	en_US
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services	en_US
utslib.for	11 Medical and Health Sciences	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.issue	4	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	4	en_US

Abstract:

Aim of the study: To evaluate the potential of thermotherapy self-treatment in relieving pain and improving sensory function in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain. Materials and methods: Fifty patients (74% female; mean age 57.18 ± 12.3. years) with chronic mechanical neck pain were randomized to either treatment group (n= 25) or control group (n= 25). Treatment group used a mud heat pad once a day for 20. min over a period of 14. days while the control group was left untreated. Both groups were allowed to continue self-directed usual care. Primary outcome measure was neck pain intensity as assessed by a 100. mm visual analog scale (VAS) after 14. days. Secondary outcome measures included a pain diary (daily measure of pain intensity on a 100. mm VAS), functional disability (neck disability index; NDI) and health-related quality of life (short form-36; SF-36). Physiological measures included mechanical detection threshold (MDT), pressure pain threshold (PPT) and vibration detection threshold (VDT) at the site of maximal pain and in the adjacent region. Results: Significant group differences occurred for pain intensity (mean difference -16.00. mm; 95% confidence interval -26.07; -5.92; P= 0.003) and pain diary (P= 0.013). Group differences for MDT and VDT occurred at the site of maximal pain (MDT: P< 0.001; VDT: P= 0.035) and in the adjacent region (MDT: P= 0.042; VDT: P= 0.008). No group differences were found in NDI, SF-36 or PPT. Conclusions: Thermotherapy self-treatment seems to be effective in relieving pain and improving sensory functioning in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain. Further research is needed to underpin these preliminary results. © 2012 Elsevier GmbH.

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