Effectiveness of NMES on Neck Pain

The Effectiveness of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Applied Simultaneously to Exercise on Pain, Range of Motion, Muscle Endurance, Fear of Movement and Disability in Chronic Neck Pain

The aim of this randomized-controlled study was to determine the effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) applied simultaneously to exercise on pain, static endurance of cervical deep flexor muscles, fear of movement and disability in chronic neck pain. The participants were randomly assigned to one group which in only five clinical pilates exercises were performed (Group I) or the other group which NMES was applied on lower trapezius and serratus anterior muscles while the same exercises were performing (Group II).

The aim of randomized-controlled study was to determine the effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) applied simultaneously to exercise on pain, static endurance of cervical deep flexor muscles, fear of movement and disability in chronic neck pain. This study, including adults with chronic neck pain aged between 18-65 years, was conducted in laboratory of xxx University from March 2021 to May 2021. The participants were randomly assigned to one group which in only five clinical pilates exercises were performed (Group I) or the other group which NMES was applied on lower trapezius and serratus anterior muscles while the same exercises were performing (Group II). Both groups received 20 minutes of treatment session two days a week for the 8 weeks. The pain intensity, range of motion (ROM), static endurance of cervical deep flexor muscles, fear of movement, and neck disability were assessed with Visual Analogue (VAS), universal goniometer, The Deep Neck Flexor (DNF) Endurance Test, Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK) and Neck Disability Index (NDI), respectively. All the assessments were performed twice as before and end of the treatment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• (1) being aged from 18 to 65 years old,
• (2) having neck pain shows mechanical nature longer than 3 months, and
• (3) getting a score of at least 10 from Neck Disability Index.

Exclusion Criteria:

• (1) having a surgery on neck and shoulder regions,
• (2) having a neurological symptom, and
• (3) did not complete the process of the assessment and intervention of this study.