Effects of Global Postural Exercises Versus Specific Therapeutic Neck Exercises in Chronic Non-specific Neck Pain

University of Salamanca

Status: Completed

Conditions: Chronic Pain; Neck Pain

Treatments: Other: Exercise Therapeutic; Other: Global Postural Reeducation

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04402463

458-2019 USalamanca

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study is a randomized, parallel, blinded, clinical trial of treatments. The general objective of this study is to analyze and compare the short-term results, during a 4-week follow-up, of two different treatments in patients with chronic nonspecific neck pain.

The treatments to be applied are Global Postural Reeducation (GPR) and specific therapeutic exercise, applied during 8 treatment sessions in 4 weeks. These treatments will be applied by a physiotherapist with clinical experience in the treatment of cervical pain.

During the study, 4 evaluations will be carried out to assess the effects of the interventions on pain, disability, standing postural control and neuromuscular behavior of the cervical muscles ((1) Baseline (pre-intervention); 2) Second pre-intervention (1 week later); 3) 1st post-intervention after four sessions (1+2 weeks later); 4) Final, 2nd post-intervention (1+4 weeks later))

Enrollment: 52 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Non-specific chronic neck pain (neck or upper shoulder pain that is not related to a known pathology or injury, with an evolution of at least 12 weeks)

Exclusion criteria

• Specific cause of cervical pain (systemic, traumatic, rheumatic pathology, discal pathology,...)
• Central or peripheral neurological signs
• Cognitive impairment to follow instructions during the evaluations or interventions
• History of cervical surgery
• Treatment of physical therapy in the last 3 months
• Pharmacologic treatment during the study

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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52 participants in 2 patient groups

GPR Group

Experimental group

Description:

Global Postural Reeducation with 2 parts in each session: 1. st: 2 postures in lying position - without gravity load (15 minutes each posture): The aim of these postures is to achieve and maintain postural balance and to stretch the posterior muscle chain. In order to achieve this, specific exercises in the lying position are used. That exercises involve a precise use of contractions, stretch reflexes, light and controlled manual tractions and sustained elongations. The maintenance of alignment during posture will be achieved by verbal commands and manual contact of the therapist, guaranteeing the active engagement of patient to reach the correct posture. 2. st: Standing posture - integration under gravity load (10 minutes): With the participant standing the physiotherapist makes final corrections for postural integration.

Treatment:

Other: Global Postural Reeducation

Exercise Group

Experimental group

Description:

Therapeutic exercises. That they will be divided into 3 phases: The exercises in these phases will consist in active exercises of the cervical spine and shoulder girdle, motor control exercises, and finally strength and endurance of the cervical flexors and extensors and of the musculature of the shoulder girdle.

Treatment:

Other: Exercise Therapeutic