Effectiveness of dynamic muscle training, relaxation training, or ordinary activity for chronic neck pain: randomised controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effectiveness of dynamic muscle training and relaxation training for chronic neck pain.


METHODS
Randomised controlled trial.


METHODS
Five occupational healthcare centres, Tampere, Finland.


METHODS
393 female office workers (mean age 45 years) with chronic non-specific neck pain randomly assigned to 12 weeks of dynamic muscle training (n = 135) or relaxation training (n = 128), plus one week of reinforcement training six months after baseline; or ordinary activity (control group; n = 130).


METHODS
Change in intensity of neck pain at three, six, and 12 months.


RESULTS
No significant difference was found in neck pain between the groups at follow up. However, the range of motion for cervical rotation and lateral flexion increased more in the training groups than in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Dynamic muscle training and relaxation training do not lead to better improvements in neck pain compared with ordinary activity.
Viljanen
Matti
M
Tampere Regional Institute of Occupational Health, PO Box 486, FIN-33101 Tampere, Finland. matti.viljanen@ttl.fi
Malmivaara
Antti
A
Uitti
Jukka
J
Rinne
Marjo
M
Palmroos
Pirjo
P
Laippala
Pekka
P
D000465:Algorithms; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome