Qigong and Exercise Therapy in Patients With Long-term Neck ... : Spine (original) (raw)

Randomized Trial

A Prospective Randomized Trial

Lansinger, Birgitta MS, PT; Larsson, Elisabeth MS, PT; Persson, Liselott C. PhD, PT; Carlsson, Jane Y. PhD, PT

From the Göteborg University, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology/Physiotherapy, Göteborg, Sweden.

Acknowledgment date: August 25, 2006. First revision date: February 8, 2007. Second revision date: April 12, 2007. Acceptance date: April 13, 2007.

Supported by the Vardal Foundation, the Ekhaga Foundation, the Development Council of Göteborg and Southern Bohuslän, the Swedish Association of Registered Physiotherapists: Minnesfonden and Renée Eanders Hjälpfond for financial support.

The manuscript submitted does not contain information about medical device(s)/drug(s).

Foundation funds were received in support of this work. No benefits in any form have been or will be received from a commercial party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this manuscript.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Birgitta Lansinger, MS, PT, Göteborg University, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology/Physiotherapy, Box 455, SE 405 30 Göteborg, Sweden; E-mail: [email protected]

Study Design.

A randomized, controlled, multicenter trial: 1-year follow-up.

Objective.

To compare the effectiveness of qigong and exercise therapy in subjects with long-term nonspecific neck pain.

Summary of Background Data.

The evidence for the benefit of treatment programs focusing on persons with long-term, nonspecific neck pain is conflicting. Several studies have shown support for exercise therapy, but the efficacy of qigong has not been scientifically evaluated.

Methods.

A total of 122 patients were randomly assigned to receive either qigong (n = 60) or exercise therapy (n = 62). Most of them were women (70%), and the mean age was 44 years. A maximum of 12 treatments were given over a period of 3 months. Neck pain frequency and intensity, neck disability (NDI), grip strength, and cervical range of motion were recorded before and immediately after, at 6 months, and at 12 months after the treatment period. Changes in outcome variables were analyzed and dichotomized as improved or unchanged/deteriorated.

Results.

Clinical and demographic characteristics were similar among groups at baseline. No differences were found between the 2 interventions: qigong and exercise therapy. Both groups significantly improved immediately after treatment and this was maintained at the 6- and 12-month follow-ups in 5 of 8 outcome variables: average neck pain in the most recent week, current neck pain (with exception for immediately after treatment period), neck pain diary, NDI, and cervical range of motion in rotation.

Conclusion.

These results indicate that treatments including supervised qigong or exercise therapy resulting in reduced pain and disability can be recommended for persons with long-term nonspecific neck pain.