Studies have shown that stress is implicated in the cause of neck pain (NP).
OBJECTIVES:
The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of a simple, zero cost stress management program on patients suffering from NP.
METHODS:
This study is a parallel-type randomized clinical study. People suffering from chronic non-specific NP were chosen randomly to participate in an eight week duration program of stress management (N= 28)(including diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation) or in a no intervention control condition (N= 25). Self-report measures were used for the evaluation of various variables at the beginning and at the end of the eight-week monitoring period. Descriptive and inferential statistic methods were used for the statistical analysis.
RESULTS:
At the end of the monitoring period, the intervention group showed a statistically significant reduction of stress and anxiety(p= 0.03, p= 0.01), report of stress related symptoms (p= 0.003), percentage of disability due to NP (p= 0.000) and NP intensity (p= 0.002). At the same time, daily routine satisfaction levels were elevated (p= 0.019). No statistically significant difference was observed in cortisol measurements.
CONCLUSIONS:
Stress management has positive effects on NP patients.
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