title: Tension neck syndrome treated by acupuncture combined with physiotherapy: a comparative clinical trial (pilot study).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of acupuncture combined with physiotherapy in comparison with acupuncture and physiotherapy performed alone in different parameters; pain intensity, muscle tension, functional disability and muscle strength in the treatment of tension neck syndrome (TNS).
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, comparative clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Acupuncture and Rehabilitation Department.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  TNS can occur in computer users. Acupuncture has been one alternative treatment in physiotherapeutic rehabilitation of musculoskeletal disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-six patients with TNS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were allocated into three groups: Group-1 received physiotherapy (therapeutic exercises) combined with acupuncture; Group-2, acupuncture alone, and Group-3, physiotherapy alone; over a period of 10 weeks, with one or two sessions weekly.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients had completed the protocols and were assessed using a visual analogue scale for pain intensity (VASpain) and muscle tension (VASmt), the Neck Disability Index: Brazilian Portuguese version for functional disability, and the cranio-cervical Flexion Test for isometric neck muscle strength (INMS); in the periods before treatment (baseline), after 10 weeks of treatment, and after 6 months of follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All groups showed significant improvement (p < 0.001) in these parameters after 10 weeks of treatment and after 6 months of follow-up. Group-1 was superior to Group-3 in pain and functional disability improvements (p<0.05); and Group-1 was superior to both Group-2 (p < 0.01) and Group-3 (p < 0.05) in INMS. After 6 months of follow-up, the improvements of all groups were maintained (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The data suggested that acupuncture effect may facilitate and/or enhance physiotherapy performance in musculoskeletal rehabilitation for tension neck syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas, Brazil. dfranca.8@oi.com.br
authors.forename: Daisy L M
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: França
authors.forename: Vasco
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Senna-Fernandes
authors.forename: Célia Martins
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Cortez
authors.forename: Morgan N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bernardo-Filho
authors.forename: Marco Antonio M
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Guimarães