[Randomized clinical trial for primary care patients with neck pain: manual therapy versus electrical stimulation].
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effectiveness of manual therapy (MT) versus transcutaneous electrical nervous stimulation (TENS) in reducing the intensity of pain in patients with subacute or chronic neck pain (NP) attended at primary care physiotherapy units (PCPU).


METHODS
Randomised clinical trial.


METHODS
Thirteen PCPU in 4 health districts of the Community of Madrid, Spain.


METHODS
Ninety patients with subacute or chronic NP attended. Lost after intervention: 3.


METHODS
At random, 47 patients were allocated to MT treatment and 43 to TENS.


METHODS
Social and demographic characteristics and prognosis variables in the intervention groups were measured. Intensity of pain before and after intervention was calculated by mean values on the analogue visual scale (present moment, average and worst pain of the last 2 weeks). Side-effects were also measured.


RESULTS
Difference between before-and-after pain was 21.83 mm (95% CI, 13.71-29.95) for the group treated with Transcutaneous electrical nervous stimulation and 22.87 mm (95% CI, 17.11-28.64) for manual therapy. The difference in averages on comparing the 2 procedures for improvement was 1.04 (95% CI, -8.66% to 10.75%).


CONCLUSIONS
TENS and MT significantly reduce patients' perceived intensity of pain, although there were no differences between the 2 groups.There are no conclusive results for the alternative physiotherapy treatments that determine a clear strategy of intervention.
Escortell Mayor
Esperanza
E
Técnico de Salud de Atención Primaria, Area 3 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain. eescortell.gapm03@salud.madrid.org
Lebrijo Pérez
Gerardo
G
Pérez Martín
Yolanda
Y
Asúnsolo del Barco
Angel
A
Riesgo Fuertes
Rosario
R
Saa Requejo
Carmen
C
D000328:Adult; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D026201:Musculoskeletal Manipulations; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D011320:Primary Health Care