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Effectiveness of LASER Therapy and PNF Technique in Neck Pain
Sponsor: Istanbul Gedik University
Summary
This study aimed to investigate and compare the effects of low-intensity laser therapy, a photobiomodulation treatment, and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on pain and disability in individuals with non-specific neck pain. This randomized controlled trial used the Numerical Pain Scale (primary outcome) and the Bournemouth Neck Pain Questionnaire to assess pain, a manual algometer to assess pain threshold, and the Neck Disability Index to assess disability. Three groups were included in this randomized controlled trial: Group 1: Photobiomodulation therapy (low-intensity laser therapy) + conventional physiotherapy; Group 2: Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation with stretching and strengthening + conventional physiotherapy; Group 3: Conventional physiotherapy only. We hypothesized that low-intensity laser therapy and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation would have distinct effects on pain and disability in chronic non-specific neck pain.
Official title: Low-Intensity Laser Therapy Versus Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation for Pain and Disability in Chronic Non-Specific Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 65 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
75
Start Date
2024-02-05
Completion Date
2026-03-28
Last Updated
2026-05-05
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Low-intensity Laser Therapy Treatment
Low-dose laser therapy was administered twice a week for a total of 10 sessions using a Chattanoga Advance device, at a power of 100 mW and an energy dose of 4 J/cm², with each trigger point receiving treatment plus four additional points marked with a cross (Legouté et al. 2019).
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Technique
Stretching and strengthening exercises were performed twice a week for a total of 10 sessions on the scalene, sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, intercostal and serratus anterior muscles, and three times a week for 10 minutes (including the neck extensors). The specific method involved the 'hold-release' technique for 10 repetitions of PNF stretching and the maximum isometric contraction technique for strengthening (Liu et al. 2021; Cruz-Montecinos et al. 2017).
Conventional physiotherapy
Conventional physiotherapy involved traditional heat therapy, pain-relieving electrical stimulation and neck exercises.
Locations (1)
Istanbul Gedik University
Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)