Journal Article

Time-Wise Change in Neck Pain in Response to Rehabilitation with Specific Resistance Training: Implications for Exercise Prescription

Sundstrup, Emil, Sjøgaard, Gisela, Andersen, Christoffer H., Pedersen, Mogens T., Zebis, Mette K., Andersen, Lars L.

2014

Overview

To determine the time-wise effect of specific resistance training on neck pain among industrial technicians with frequent neck pain symptoms. Secondary analysis of a parallel-group cluster randomized controlled trial of 20 weeks performed at two large industrial production units in Copenhagen, Denmark. Women with neck pain >30 mm VAS (N = 131) were included in the present analysis. The training group (N = 77) performed specific resistance training for the neck/shoulder muscles three times a week, and the control group (N = 54) received advice to stay active. Participants of both groups registered neck pain intensity (0-100 mm VAS) once a week. Neck pain intensity was 55 mm (SD 23) at baseline. There was a significant group by time interaction for neck pain (F-value 2.61, P<0.001, DF = 19). Between-group differences in neck pain reached significance after 4 weeks (11 mm, 95% CI 2 to 20). The time-wise change in pain showed three phases; a rapid decrease in the training group compared with the control group during the initial 7 weeks, a slower decrease in pain during the following weeks (week 8-15), and a plateau during the last weeks (week 16-20). Adherence to training followed a two-phase pattern, i.e. weekly participation rate was between 70-86% during the initial 7 weeks, dropping towards 55-63% during the latter half of the training period. Four weeks of specific resistance training reduced neck pain significantly, but 15 weeks is required to achieve maximal pain reduction. The time-wise change in pain followed a three-phase pattern with a rapid effect during the initial 7 weeks followed by a slower but still positive effect, and finally a plateau from week 15 and onwards. Decreased participation rate may explain the decreased efficacy during the latter phase of the intervention.

• Publisher: Public Library of Science,Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subject: Active control / Adult / Analysis / Biology and Life Sciences / Biomechanics / Care and treatment / Clinical trials / Diagnosis / Drug dosages / Electrical resistivity / Exercise / Exercise therapy / Female / Health aspects / Humans / Industrial production / Intervention / Medicine and Health Sciences / Middle Aged / Muscle pain / Muscles / Neck / Neck Muscles - physiopathology / Neck pain / Neck Pain - physiopathology / Neck Pain - rehabilitation / Nutrition / Pain / Pain Measurement / Patient outcomes / Physical fitness / Physical training / Physiology / Rehabilitation / Resistance training / Resistance Training - methods / Risk factors / Secondary analysis / Shoulder / Sport science / Sports medicine / Sports training / Strength training / Technicians / Time Factors / Training / Treatment Outcome