Effectiveness of Neuroscience-based Pain Education in Patients With Chronic Neck Pain

Comparison of the Effects of Neuroscience-Based Pain Education and Myofascial Induction Technique on Pain and Quality of Life in Patients With Chronic Neck Pain

The effectiveness of neuroscience-based pain education, myofascial induction technique, and home exercise programs will be compared in patients with chronic neck pain.

The study aims to present the immediate and long-term effects of Neuroscience-based Pain Education (NPE) and Myofascial Induction Therapy (MIT). It will evaluate parameters such as pain, quality of life, pain catastrophizing, and neck disability after treatment completion and at the 6-month follow-up.

The investigators aim to illuminate future studies concerning neuroscience-based pain education, which has gained prominence in recent years and continues to increase in importance annually.

The participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups:

1 Group: Neuroscience-Based Pain Education Combined with Home Exercise Program Participants in this group will receive Neuroscience-Based Pain Education (NPE) treatment in addition to the home exercise program. Training sessions will be organized as one-on-one conversation sessions focusing on the neurophysiology of pain, and participants will be reinforced through PowerPoint presentations and visual aids such as pictures, templates, and metaphors.

Group: Myofascial Induction Techniques Combined with Home Exercise Program In addition to the home exercise program, Myofascial Induction Techniques (MIT) group participants will have MIT applied to the cervical and upper thoracic regions.

Group: Home Exercise Program After undergoing general training, participants in this group will be taught an exercise program. The program will include neck muscle stretching, strengthening, and posture exercises.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Ages between 18-60 years old,
2. Patients with non-specific neck pain for at least 3 months,
3. Having pain severity of four or more according to the Visual analogue scale (VAS),
4. Patients with Pain Catastrophizing Scale score > 30
5. Patients with a Central Sensitization Inventory score > 30
6. Not having received physiotherapy and manual therapy within the last 3 months,
7. Those who have not received and will not receive medical treatment in the last 3 months.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Having a history of neck and spine surgery,
2. Patients with whiplash injury, fracture history,
3. Having unstable neurological findings,
4. Presence of a pathology such as hernia and root compression in the cervical region,
5. Those who regularly use analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs,
6. A communication problem may prevent the implementation of the evaluations or treatment program.