Effectiveness of Manual Therapy or Pulsed Shortwave Diathermy in Addition to Advice and Exercise for Neck Disorders: A Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial in Physical Therapy Clinics - Chiropractic Treatment

Effectiveness of Manual Therapy or Pulsed Shortwave Diathermy in Addition to Advice and Exercise for Neck Disorders: A Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial in Physical Therapy Clinics
2005
KRYSIA DZIEDZIC,JONATHAN HILL,MARTYN LEWIS,JULIUS SIM,JANE DANIELS,ELAINE M. HAY
Arthritis & Rheumatism (Arthritis Care & Research)

Objective. To determine whether manual therapy or pulsed shortwave diathermy, in addition to advice and exercise,
provide better clinical outcome at 6 months than advice and exercise alone in primary care patients with nonspecific neck
disorders.
Methods. This was a multicenter, 3-arm randomized controlled trial in 15 physical therapy departments. Of the 735
screened patients, 350 were recruited to the study (mean age 51 years) from July 2000 to June 2002. Participants were
randomized to advice and exercise plus manual therapy, advice and exercise plus pulsed shortwave, or advice and
exercise alone. Assessments were undertaken at baseline, 6 weeks, and 6 months. The primary outcome was the
Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire. Analysis was by intention to treat.
Results. Of the participants, 115 were allocated to advice and exercise, 114 to advice and exercise plus manual therapy,
and 121 to advice and exercise plus pulsed shortwave; 98% received the allocated treatment. There was 93% followup at
6 months. The mean
SD fall in Northwick Park score at 6 months was 11.5
15.7 for advice and exercise alone, 10.2
14.1 for advice and exercise plus manual therapy, and 10.3
15.0 for advice and exercise plus pulsed shortwave. There
were no statistically significant differences in mean changes between groups.
Conclusion. The addition of pulsed shortwave or manual therapy to advice and exercise did not provide any additional
benefits in the physical therapy treatment of neck disorders

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