Photobiomodulation Therapy and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Chronic Neck Pain Patients

Photobiomodulation Therapy and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Chronic Neck Pain Patients

This study evaluates the efficacy isolated and combinaded of photobiomodulation therapy with low level laser therapy and the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.

Non-specific chronic neck pain patients will be treated with low-level laser therapy and/or trancutaneous electricam nerve stimulation. They will receive 10 sessions of treatment. Before and after the treatment physical measures and psychosocial factors will be evaluted to verificy the efficay these electrophysical agents.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with non-specific chronic neck pain, defined as pain or discomfort in the posterior cervical region between the superior nuchal line and the first thoracic spinous process and / or shoulder girdle;
• Neck pain for at least 3 months;
• Neck Disability Index (NDI) score of 5 points or higher;
• Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) score of 3 or higher to pain intensity;
• Aged between 18 and 65 years;
• Men and women

Exclusion Criteria:

• Neck pain associated with nerve root compromise (measured by clinical examination of dermatomes, myotomes and reflexes);
• Previous spinal surgery;
• Patients treated with physical therapy for neck pain in the last 3 months previous the study;
• Severe spinal disorders such as fractures, tumors, inflammatory and infectious diseases;
• Any contraindication to low level laser therapy or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation;
• Rheumatic, metabolic, neurological or cardiopulmonary diseases;
• Patients who require artificial cardiac pacemakers;
• Skin diseases, mainly at the current application site;
• Tumors or cancer historic in the last 5 years;
• Pregnancy;
• If the patient started any physical activity in the last 2 weeks.