A comparison of low dose ultrasound and far-infrared therapies in patients with mechanical neck pain.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of low-dose continuous ultrasound and far-infrared interventions for reducing pain in patients with mechanical neck pain. Methods: The experimental study was conducted from April 2016 to January 2017 at the electrotherapy laboratory of the Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia, and comprised female patients diagnosed with mechanical neck pain. They were divided into two equal groups, with Group A receiving 3 sessions per week of low-dose continuous ultrasound on the cervical region for 7 weeks, and Group B receiving far-infrared treatment on the same patterns. Both groups received stretching, strengthening exercises and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. Pain tolerance was assessed at baseline and post-intervention using digital algometer. Data was analysed using SPSS 17. RESULTS: Of the 30 women with a mean age of 21.36±1.14 years, there were 15(50%) in each of the two groups. There was a significant decrease in post-intervention bilateral values compared to baseline in both groups. Group B showed higher significant values than Group A (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Far-Infrared was found to be much better than low-dose continuous ultrasound for reducing pain in patients suffering from mechanical neck pain.

Effects of McKenzie and stabilization exercises in reducing pain intensity and functional disability in individuals with nonspecific chronic low back pain: a systematic review.

[Purpose] The purpose of this review is to compare the effect of McKenzie and stabilization exercises in reducing pain and disability in individuals with chronic nonspecific low back pain. [Methods] A systematic literature review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were performed using 6 databases. The quality of reviewed articles were assessed by the risk of bias using the Cochrane collaboration's tool. [Results] A total of 829 articles were found from the databases, of which 10 were finally selected to be included in this review. The overall risk of bias assessment indicated that the risk of bias was low in one study and high in the other nine studies. One study reported reduced pain and two studies reported reduced functional disability in the McKenzie exercise group compared to other exercises. Two studies reported reduced pain and three studies reported reduced functional disability in the stabilization exercise group compared to other exercises. In two studies, the stabilization exercise group was as effective as McKenzie exercise group in reducing pain and functional disability in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain. [Conclusion] Only two studies compared stabilization and McKenzie exercises in the management of chronic nonspecific low back pain. Therefore, insufficient evidence is available to draw any conclusive comparison on the effects of McKenzie and stabilization exercises in chronic nonspecific low back pain. However, both McKenzie and stabilization exercises was better than conventional exercise programs in reducing functional disability in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain.