title: Microwave diathermy for treating nonspecific chronic neck pain: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although the use of deep heat therapy is widespread, there is scant literature available on its effectiveness in treating back or neck pain.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of microwave diathermy to treat nonspecific chronic neck pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was designed as a double-blind, randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  The patient sample consisted of 149 patients with nonspecific chronic neck pain in a hospital of the Andalusian Public Health Care System, Spain
  
  
  METHODS
  The study outcome measures are as follows: at baseline, pain intensity (using a visual analogue scale), disability (Neck Disability Index), and health-related quality of life (36-item short form health survey [SF-36]); at 3 weeks, baseline measures and patients' perceived overall outcome and satisfaction with the treatment; and at 6 months, 3-week measures, therapeutic co-interventions, and adherence to exercises.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were allocated randomly to three groups. The first group received continuous microwave diathermy, the second group was administered pulsed microwaves, and the third group (the control group) received unplugged microwaves. All three groups received the same general treatment: range of motion, isometric exercises, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The three groups had reduced pain and disability, and improvement was seen in some dimensions of the SF-36. However, there were no differences found in any of the parameters measured among the three therapeutic groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Microwave diathermy does not provide additional benefit to a treatment regimen of chronic neck pain that already involves other treatment approaches.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Complejo Hospitalario de Jaén, Avenida del Ejército Español, s/n, 23005 Jaén, Spain. Electronic address: juanalfonsoandrade@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Juan Alfonso
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Andrade Ortega
authors.affiliation: Physiotherapy Unit, Complejo Hospitalario de Jaén, Avenida del Ejército Español, s/n, 23005 Jaén, Spain.
authors.forename: Encarnación
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cerón Fernández
authors.affiliation: Physiotherapy Unit, Complejo Hospitalario de Jaén, Avenida del Ejército Español, s/n, 23005 Jaén, Spain.
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: García Llorent
authors.affiliation: Physiotherapy Unit, Complejo Hospitalario de Jaén, Avenida del Ejército Español, s/n, 23005 Jaén, Spain.
authors.forename: Marisa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ribeiro González
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hospital "San Agustín", Avenida de San Cristóbal, s/n, Linares, 23700 Jaén, Spain; University of Jaén, Campus de las Lagunillas, s/n, 23071 Jaén, Spain.
authors.forename: Alberto Damián
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Delgado Martínez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D003972:Diathermy / Q000379:methods*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008872:Microwaves; D008875:Middle Aged; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011788:Quality of Life; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Diathermy; Exercise; Microwaves; Neck pain; Physical therapy modalities; Transcutaneous electrical stimulation