Exercise and Pain Neuroscience Education for Patients With Neck Pain: Impact on Pain and Disability

Exercise and Pain Neuroscience Education for Patients With Neck Pain: Impact

This study will compare the effectiveness of pain neuroscience education and neck/shoulder traditional exercises versus pain neuroscience education and neck/shoulder suspension training exercises for patients with chronic idiopathic neck pain (CINP).

The investigators anticipate that 66 patients with chronic idiopathic neck pain will be randomized to receive pain neuroscience education and shoulder/neck traditional exercises (n=33) or pain neuroscience education and shoulder/neck suspension exercises (n=33). Data on pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale), pain disability, neck flexor and extensor muscles endurance, scapulae stabilizers endurance, pain catastrophizing (Pain catastrophizing Scale), trait and state anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) and knowledge of pain neurophysiology (Neurophysiology of Pain Questionnaire) will be collected. Measurements will be taken before, after the intervention and at 3 months follow up.

Statistical analysis will be performed using a mixed-methods ANOVA.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Clinical diagnosis of chronic idiopathic neck pain.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Cervical radiculopathy
• Neck fractures
• Tumors
• Rheumatological disorders
• Any other serious cause of neck pain