Experimental integrative muscular movement technique enhances cervical range of motion in patients with chronic neck pain: a pilot study.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare the efficacy of integrative muscular movement technique (IMMT) and Swedish massage on neck pain and cervical range of motion in women of occupational age.
Results Summary
IMMT significantly improved cervical range of motion in all measured movements and reduced pain more effectively than Swedish massage. The absolute change in pain was -1.75 units for IMMT compared to -0.3 units for Swedish massage.
Population
Women of occupational age with neck pain.
Effective Dosage
Eight 30-minute treatments over 4 weeks.
Duration
4 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
integrative muscular movement technique (IMMT) | increase | ROM in cervical flexion | women of occupation age | - | experienced a significant increase | #1 |
integrative muscular movement technique (IMMT) | increase | ROM in cervical extension | women of occupation age | - | experienced a significant increase | #2 |
integrative muscular movement technique (IMMT) | increase | ROM in cervical sidebending | women of occupation age | - | experienced a significant increase | #3 |
integrative muscular movement technique (IMMT) | increase | ROM in cervical rotation | women of occupation age | - | experienced a significant increase | #4 |
integrative muscular movement technique (IMMT) | decrease | pain | women of occupation age | -1.75 units | Absolute change in pain | #5 |
Swedish massage | decrease | pain | women of occupation age | -0.3 units | Absolute change in pain | #6 |
integrative muscular movement technique (IMMT) | increase | cervical ROM in every movement measured | patients with neck pain | - | demonstrated significantly improved | #7 |
integrative muscular movement technique (IMMT) | decrease | pain | patients with chronic neck pain | - | may lead to decreased | #8 |
integrative muscular movement technique (IMMT) | increase | cervical ROM | patients with chronic neck pain | - | may lead to increased | #9 |
INTRODUCTION: Neck pain presents a tremendous physical and financial burden. This study compared the efficacy of the complementary and alternative medical treatments of integrative muscular movement technique (IMMT) and Swedish massage on neck pain in women of occupation age, the largest demographic group with neck pain. METHODS: A total of 38 women were assigned to IMMT (n=28) or Swedish massage (n=10) in a blinded manner. Both groups received eight 30-minute treatments over 4 weeks. Cervical range of motion (ROM) in flexion, extension, sidebending, and rotation was measured before and after treatment. Each patient's pain was assessed by using an analogue pain scale of 0-10. RESULTS: Compared with the Swedish massage group, patients receiving IMMT experienced a significant increase in ROM in cervical flexion (p<0.001), extension (p<0.001), sidebending (p<0.05), and rotation (p<0.001). Absolute change in pain for IMMT was -1.75 units compared with -0.3 units for Swedish massage (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients receiving the IMMT demonstrated significantly improved cervical ROM in every movement measured compared with Swedish massage. Inclusion of the IMMT in a treatment regimen for chronic neck pain may lead to decreased pain and increased cervical ROM. These positive effects of the IMMT intervention may have a role in enhancing functional outcomes in patients with neck pain.