Rheumatol Int. 2014 May;34(5):605-11

Durmus D, Alayli G, Tufekci T, Kuru O.

A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial of phonophoresis for the treatment of chronic neck pain.

The aim of this trial was to investigate and compare the effects of phonophoresis (PP), placebo PP and exercise therapies on pain, disability, sleep quality, and depression in the patients with chronic neck pain (CNP). This is a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled study. A total of 61 patients with definite CNP were included in this study. The patients were randomized into three groups. Group 1 (n = 21) received PP with capsaicin treatment and exercises. Group 2 (n = 20) received placebo PP with capsaicin and exercises. Group 3 (n = 20) was given only exercises. All of the programs were performed 3 days a week, for 6 weeks. The pain (visual analog scale), disability (the neck pain disability index), depression (Beck Depression Inventory scores), and sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) of all participants were evaluated. Measurements were taken before and after treatment. All of the groups showed statistically significant improvements in pain, disability, sleep quality, and depression. While there was no difference between groups regarding depression and sleep quality, intergroup comparison showed significant differences in pain and disability among three groups. These differences were statistically significant in group 1 and 2 compared to group 3, and also in group 1 compared to group 2. We observed that PP treatment was effective in the treatment for patients with CNP. A combination of PP with exercises can be used to obtain optimal clinical results.

What Health Point Physiotherapy Does

When it comes to neck pain, both acute and chronic, our physiotherapists use a number of treatment approaches. The initial aim is to reduce the symptoms but our ultimate goal is to get to the root of the problem and prevent recurrences.

The first step is to make sure that we correctly identify the cause of the neck pain. Once we are confident that we have the right diagnosis we commence treatment. Some of our most effective treatment modalities include SCENAR therapy, drug phoresis, electrotherapy, manual therapy, exercises and Clinical Pilates.

We try to introduce specific exercises early on, as soon as the patient's symptoms allow for this.