• Groisman S
• da Silva LS
• Sanches TRR
• Rocha CSDS
• Malysz T
• Jotz GP

• Affiliation / Brazilian Institute of Osteopathy (IBO)
• Affiliation / Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre. Doctoral Program in Health Sciences
• Affiliation / Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. Department of Morphological Sciences
• Affiliation / Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. Doctoral Program in Neuroscience
• Affiliation / Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. School of Physical Education, Physiotherapy, and Dance
• Affiliation / Feevale University
• Affiliation(G) / Brazil / Rio Grande do Sul / Novo Hamburgo
• Affiliation(G) / Brazil / Rio Grande do Sul / Porto Alegre
• Manipulation, Osteopathic
• Musculoskeletal Manipulations
• Neck Pain
• Osteopathic Physicians

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term effects of adding osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) to neck exercises compared to exercises alone for individuals with non-specific chronic neck pain (NCNP).

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted by assigning 90 individuals with NCNP into the following 2 groups: (1) exercises group (EG, n = 45) or (2) OMT plus exercises group (OMT/EG, n = 45). All participants received 4 weeks of treatment. The clinical outcomes were recorded at baseline and at 3 and 6 months after the treatment. The primary outcomes were pain and function—Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Pressure Pain Threshold, and the Neck Disability Index (NDI). The secondary outcomes included range of motion for cervical spine rotation, Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire, and Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire.

Results: In comparison to baseline data, both groups had a reduction of NPRS (P < .05) and NDI (P < .05) after the treatment. However, no statistically significant differences in pain intensity or disability were found when OMT/EG was compared to EG alone at 3 months (P = 0.1 and P = 0.2, respectively) and at 6 months (P = 0.4 and P = 0.9, respectively for pain and disability) and no difference was found between OMT/EG and the EG in the secondary outcomes during the same follow-up period (P > .05).

Conclusion: Outcomes of pain and functionality for patients in both groups were improved at 6 months. Our findings show that the combination of OMT and neck exercises for 4 weeks did not improve functionality and reduction of pain in patients with NCNP.

Author Keywords:  Osteopathic Physicians; Manipulation, Osteopathic; Musculoskeletal Manipulations; Neck Pain

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