title: Physical medicine modalities for mechanical neck disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Multiple physical medicine modalities are commonly included as part of therapeutic interventions for mechanical neck disorders (neck pain). The objective of this review was to assess the effects of physical medicine modalities for pain in adults with mechanical neck disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched Medline, Embase, Chirolars, Index to Chiropractic Literature, Cinahl, Science Citation Index, Conference Proceedings Index, National Technical Information Services and reference lists of the retrieved articles from 1985 to December 1993 and we contacted content experts.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomised trials and controlled trials of physical medicine modalities in adults with mechanical neck disorder.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three reviewers independently assessed trial quality and two reviewers independently extracted data. Investigators were contacted to obtain information or data that could not be found in the published reports.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirteen trials were included. The overall quality of the included trials was generally good. Two trials using electromagnetic therapy produced a significant reduction in pain (p <0.01) with three to four weeks of daily (eight hours per day) therapy sessions; and three using laser therapy did not differ significantly from a placebo (p=0.20) for six to 10 sessions of treatment. Not enough scientific testing exists to clearly determine the effectiveness of other therapies. This includes treatments such as exercise, traction, acupuncture, heat / cold applications, electrotherapies, cervical orthoses and chronic pain / cognitive behavioural rehabilitation strategies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is little information available from trials to support the use of physical medicine modalities for mechanical neck pain. There is some support for the use of electromagnetic therapy and against the use of laser therapy with respect to pain reduction.
authors.affiliation: School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, 1200 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, L8N 3Z5. grossa@fhs.csu.mcmaster.ca
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Gross
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Aker
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Goldsmith
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Peloso
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities