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Chronic neck pain is a commonly reported problem and often associated with functional disability. Studies showed that patients with chronic neck pain compensated with changes in breathing pattern. Primary functions of the diaphragm includes as the main respiratory muscle and contributing to the postural stability and spinal control. Diaphragm is located between the thorax and abdomen and has extensive and complex fascial connections to surrounding organs, muscles, and skeletons. Few studies showed that applying diaphragmatic manual techniques and breathing exercise training help to improve functions in patients with low back pain. However, how does the interventions directly influence on patients with chronic neck pain is still unclear. In this study, we make a hypothesis that diaphragmatic stretch technique and breathing exercise training help to reduce pain and improve functions in patients with chronic neck pain.
Chronic neck pain is a serious health problem with low quality of life, disability and economical burdens. Studies have found that nearly 83% of chronic neck pain patients had changes in breathing patterns. Compensated breathing pattern by using the neck-accessory respiratory muscles may result in excessive muscle strains and over-activations, which may also contribute to develop chronic neck pain. The diaphragm is the most important respiratory muscle which attached to the ribs and spine, and thus has an influence on spinal stability. Few studies have showed that diaphragm releasing and breathing training can reduce pain and improve flexibility of posterior chain muscles, spinal range of motions, and ribcage excursions in asymptomatic adults and patients with low back pain. However, the effects in patients with chronic neck pain has not bee determined. Therefore, there are two main purpose of this study. First, to determine the relationships among diaphragm mobility, neck pain and dysfunction, and respiratory in patients with chronic neck pain. Second, to investigate the effects of diaphragm releasing, breathing training, or combined intervention on pain and disability in patients with chronic neck pain. It is expected to recruit 150 patients with chronic neck pain and 30 healthy volunteers. Patients with chronic neck pain will be randomly assigned to (1) manual therapy group (2) manual control group (3) breathing training group (4) general exercise control group (5) manual therapy combined breathing training group. Each participant will receive a specific intervention program depending on their group allocation. All participants will receive two evaluation sessions before and after the intervention including ultrasonography, cervical and thoracic function, respiratory functions, and autonomic balance.
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| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manual Therapy Group | Experimental |
| |
| Manual Control Group | Sham Comparator |
| |
| Breathing Training Group | Experimental |
| |
| General Exercise Control Group | Sham Comparator |
| |
| Manual Therapy Combined Breathing Training Group | Experimental |
|
| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diaphragmatic Stretch Technique | Other | Diaphragmatic stretch technique is an intervention intended to indirectly stretch the diaphragmatic muscle fibers. This will help to decease tension generated by trigger points, normalizing muscle fiber length, and improve muscle contraction. |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Pain Intensity | Visual Analog Scale: Minimum value = 0 (Best outcome); Maximum value = 10 (Worst Outcome) | Change from baseline pain intensity up to 2 weeks |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Functional Disability | Neck disability index - Questionnaire | Change from baseline functional disability up to 2 weeks |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Neck and Thoracic ROM | Dual inclinometer | Change from baseline neck and thoracic ROM up to 2 weeks |
| Neck Muscle Endurance | Electromyography: EMG amplitude (root mean square, RMS) and frequency (median frequency, MF) on neck muscle |
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
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| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Cheng Kung University | Tainan | East District | 701 | Taiwan |
| PubMed Identifier | Type | Citation | Retractions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 41034882 | Derived | Cheng KC, Hii EYX, Lin YN, Kuo YL, Tsai YJ. Effects of manual diaphragm release on pain, disability and diaphragm function in patients with chronic neck pain: a pilot randomized controlled trial. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2025 Oct 1;25(1):349. doi: 10.1186/s12906-025-05090-8. |
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| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D001945 | Breathing Exercises |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D026441 | Mind-Body Therapies |
| D000529 | Complementary Therapies |
| D013812 | Therapeutics |
| D026241 | Exercise Movement Techniques |
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| Breathing Exercise Training | Other | During diaphragmatic or abdominal breathing training, inhalation will caused diaphragm contract downwards, inflating the lungs. This filling of the lungs pushes the abdominal organs down leading to expansion of the abdomen. Subjects are required to do few repetitions during the intervention. |
|
| Change from baseline neck muscle endurance up to 2 weeks |
| Neck Muscle Strength | Micro FET2 | Change from baseline neck muscle strength up to 2 weeks |
| Chest Mobility | Tape ruler | Change from baseline check mobility up to 2 weeks |
| Diaphragmatic Changes | Diaphragmatic thickness, mobility and strength using ultrasonography (M mode, B mode) | Change from baseline diaphragmatic chages up to 2 weeks |
| Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (MIP), Maximal Expiratory Pressure (MEP) | Gas pressure gauge | Change from baseline MIP and MEP up to 2 weeks |
| Lung Function | Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) using Spirometer | Change from baseline lung function up to 2 weeks |
| Heart Rate Variability | Hand-held Electrocardiogram (CheckMyHeart Plus) | Change from baseline heart rate variability up to 2 weeks |
| D026741 |
| Physical Therapy Modalities |