Effect of physiotherapy on respiratory functions in patients with chronic neck pain Physiotherapy on respiratory functions of neck pain

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of physiotherapy methods applied for chronic neck pain treatment on pulmonary function, functional capacity, pain, and disability. Material and Method: This is a randomized controlled prospective study conducted in 84 patients with chronic neck pain. Patients were divided into 2 groups and physiotherapy was performed in 42 patients (10 minutes with ultrasound 1.0W/cm2 intensity, 20 minutes with conventional Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, 20 minutes with hot pack), home exercise program, respiratory exercises; and 42 patients in the control group had only home exercise and breathing exercises. Age, body mass index (BMI), duration of pain, severity and frequency of pain were recorded in all patients before treatment. Then, at the beginning and at the end of the treatment, pain intensity was assessed by visual analog scale (activity, rest, night), functional capacities with 6-minute walking test (6MWT), respiratory function tests with a spirometer, and disability with neck disability index (NDI) were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 22.0 program and p<0.05 was considered significant. Results: The mean age of the patients was 42.40 +/- 7.26 years and mean pain duration was 18.47 +/- 13.49 months. VAS,6MWT,NDI and VC, ERV(expiratory reserve volume), TV(tidal volume), FEV1(forced expiratory volume in 1 second), FEV1 / FVC, FEF25-75(forced expiratory flow at 25-75%) were found to have a significant improvement in the treatment group in intra- and intergroup comparisons (p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, 0.024, 0.057, p<0.001, 0.009, p<0.001, 0.006). In the control group, the only significant improvement was observed in intra-group VAS values, p=0.015, 0.020, 0.034). Discussion: Physiotherapy program applied to patients with chronic neck pain has been found to increase respiratory functions and functional capacity with decreasing pain and disability level.