Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Chronic non specific neck pain is a prevalent musculoskeletal disorder with significant impact on pain, forward head posture, and neck disability. Diaphragmatic breathing has been shown to improve relaxation and reduce musculoskeletal pain, while electroacupuncture has potential benefits in modulating pain pathways. However, the combined effect of these interventions in chronic neck pain remains unexplored. This randomized clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of diaphragmatic breathing and electroacupuncture, in addition to physiotherapy care, compared to simple, focused breathing, electroacupuncture, and physiotherapy care. The primary outcomes are the numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) and neck disability index (NDI), while secondary outcome include craniovertebral angle (CVA).
Chronic neck pain (CNP) is characterized as persisting pain for more than 3 months, which has a longer expected recovery time. It may be linked to a deficiency or modification of the proprioception of the neck muscles, which is essential for head motor control, cervical joint position, and postural stability (PS). In terms of pain and disability, neck discomfort presents a significant medical problem for patients. According to reports, neck pain is a major cause of illness and a global hardship. The most typical signs of the aforementioned condition are localized, dull, and deep muscle discomfort. Additional symptoms include exhaustion, stiffness, pain, decreased activity, involvement restriction, and difficulty performing coordinated motions.
Standard physiotherapy for persistent neck pain, which includes stretching, isometric exercises, and hot pack therapy, has been shown in recent trials (2021-2024) to effectively reduce pain and improve function. Isometric exercises, self-stretching, active range of motion, heat packs, and self-mobilization methods were all used in this recent randomized controlled experiment.
A breathing technique called diaphragmatic breathing training encourages maximum exhalation, enhances lung ventilation, and facilitates the release of secretions from the trachea. The objectives of these exercises are to modify the recruitment of respiratory muscles, decrease hyperinflation, enhance respiratory muscle function, maximise thoracoabdominal mobility, and lessen dyspnoea. Through diaphragmatic respiration, they can support trunk stability and lung function and posture correction.
CNP is also treated in traditional medicine using various techniques. Electroacupuncture (EA) is one of such techniques; it is safe and doesn't require medication, and numerous studies have shown that it effectively reduces pain and enhances patients' quality of life. Electroacupuncture (EA) is a modified form of acupuncture in which, following a traditional acupuncture procedure, weak electronic currents are applied through the needles.
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physiotherapy care, Diaphragmatic breathing, Electroacupuncture | Experimental | These patients will receive physiotherapy care, diaphragmatic breathing, and electroacupuncture as part of their treatment program. Total session time: 50 minutes Treatment schedule: 3 sessions on alternate days for 6 weeks |
|
| Physiotherapy care, Simple focused breathing, Electroacupuncture | Active Comparator | These patients will receive physiotherapy care, simple focused breathing exercises, and electroacupuncture as part of their treatment program. Total session time: 50 minutes Treatment schedule: 3 sessions on alternate days for 6 weeks |
|
| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| physiotherapy care, diaphragmatic breathing, and electroacupuncture | Other |
|
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Pain Intensity | Pain intensity will be assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, an 11 point scale ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst pain imaginable. Higher scores indicate greater pain (worse outcome). | Baseline 1st, 3rd and at 6th week of intervention |
| Neck Disability | Neck disability will be assessed using the Neck Disability Index Urdu version , a 10-item questionnaire with a total score ranging from 0 to 50. Higher scores indicate greater disability (worse outcome). | Baseline 1st, 3rd and at 6th week of intervention |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Craniovertebral Angle (CVA) | Craniovertebral angle will be measured in degrees (°) using Kinovea software version 0.8.27 (64-bit) from standardized lateral photographs. The craniovertebral angle is calculated as the angle between a horizontal line passing through the spinous process of C7 and a line joining C7 to the tragus of the ear. Higher CVA values indicate improved head and neck posture (better outcome), whereas lower values indicate greater forward head posture (worse outcome). |
Not provided
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Sahreen Anwar, PhD | University of Lahore | Study Chair |
| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Lahore Teaching Hospital | Lahore | Punjab Province | 54782 | Pakistan |
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D000377 | Agnosia |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D010468 | Perceptual Disorders |
| D019954 | Neurobehavioral Manifestations |
| D009461 | Neurologic Manifestations |
| D009422 | Nervous System Diseases |
Not provided
Not provided
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D015671 | Electroacupuncture |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D003131 | Combined Modality Therapy |
| D013812 | Therapeutics |
| D015670 | Acupuncture Therapy |
| D000529 | Complementary Therapies |
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
|
| physiotherapy care, simple focused breathing exercises, and electroacupuncture | Other |
|
|
| Baseline 1st, 3rd and at 6th week of intervention |
| D012816 | Signs and Symptoms |
| D013568 | Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms |
| D004599 |
| Electric Stimulation Therapy |
| D026741 | Physical Therapy Modalities |
| D012046 | Rehabilitation |
| D004561 | Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation |
| D000698 | Analgesia |
| D000760 | Anesthesia and Analgesia |
| D000758 | Anesthesia |