Article

OBJECTIVE: To test the efficacy of the Alexander Technique, local heat and guided
imagery on pain and quality of life in patients with chronic non-specific neck
pain. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial with 3 parallel groups was conducted.
SETTING: Outpatient clinic, Department of Internal and Integrative Medicine.
SUBJECTS: A total of 72 patients (65 females, 40.7+/-7.9 years) with chronic
non-specific neck pain. INTERVENTIONS: Patients received 5 sessions of the
Alexander Technique--an educational method which aims to modify dysfunctional
posture, movement and thinking patterns associated with musculoskeletal
disorders. Control groups were treated with local heat application or guided
imagery. All interventions were conducted once a week for 45 minutes each. MAIN
MEASURES: The primary outcome measure at week 5 was neck pain intensity on a
100-mm visual analogue scale; secondary outcomes included neck disability,
quality of life, satisfaction and safety. STATISTICS: Analyses of covariance were
applied; testing ordered hypotheses. RESULTS: No group difference was found for
pain intensity for the Alexander Technique compared to local heat (difference
4.5mm; 95% CI:-8.1;17.1; p=0.48), but exploratory analysis revealed the
superiority of the Alexander Technique over guided imagery (difference -12.9 mm;
95% CI:-22.6;-3.1, p=0.01). Significant group differences in favor of the
Alexander Technique were also found for physical quality of life (P<0.05).
Adverse events mainly included slightly increased pain and muscle soreness.
CONCLUSION: The Alexander Technique was not superior to local heat application in
treating chronic non-specific neck pain. It cannot be recommended as routine
intervention at this time. Further trials are warranted for conclusive judgment.
CI - (c) The Author(s) 2015.

Langue : ANGLAIS