title: Effectiveness of dynamic muscle training, relaxation training, or ordinary activity for chronic neck pain: randomised controlled trial.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Tampere Regional Institute of Occupational Health, PO Box 486, FIN-33101 Tampere, Finland. matti.viljanen@ttl.fi
authors.forename: Matti
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Viljanen
authors.forename: Antti
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Malmivaara
authors.forename: Jukka
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Uitti
authors.forename: Marjo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rinne
authors.forename: Pirjo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Palmroos
authors.forename: Pekka
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Laippala
mesh_terms: 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