Results of a self-management program added to standard physical therapy in chronic neck pain

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a self-management treatment added to a physical therapy program compared to a physical therapy program in patients with chronic neck pain. Methods: Fifty-three patients with chronic neck pain were randomly allocated to a physical therapy intervention (control group) or an individualized self-management combined with physical therapy intervention (experimental group). Both interventions were developed over a four-week period. Outcome measures included were Disability, Fear-Avoidance Beliefs, Health-Related Quality of Life, Pain, and Anxiety and Depression. All outcomes were measured before and after the treatment and at threemonth follow-up. Results: There were not significant differences between groups at baseline. After the intervention both groups obtained better results in the Neck Disability Index but there were not significant differences between them (p > 0.05). At follow-up, the self-management group obtained significant better results compared to the control group (95 % CI:-5.20(-6.8 to-1.5), p = 0.032). Conclusions: An individualized self-management program added to a physical therapy program led to a greater improvement in disability at 3 months follow up compared to a physical therapy program alone. Catastrophizing, pain, and health-related quality of life improved significantly after the intervention and at follow-up compared to the standard care alone. Practical implications: This study indicates that physical therapy for patients with chronic neck pain preferably should include self-management education . (c) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study found that in patients with chronic neck pain, an individualized self-management program added to a physical therapy program led to significant improvement in disability at the 3-month follow-up compared to a physical therapy program alone. Additionally, symptoms of anxiety and depression were also reduced.