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Diaphragmatic Breathing and Electroacupuncture for Chronic Neck Pain
Sponsor: University of Lahore
Summary
Chronic non specific neck pain is a prevalent musculoskeletal disorder with significant impact on pain, forward head posture, and neck disability. Diaphragmatic breathing has been shown to improve relaxation and reduce musculoskeletal pain, while electroacupuncture has potential benefits in modulating pain pathways. However, the combined effect of these interventions in chronic neck pain remains unexplored. This randomized clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of diaphragmatic breathing and electroacupuncture, in addition to physiotherapy care, compared to simple, focused breathing, electroacupuncture, and physiotherapy care. The primary outcomes are the numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) and neck disability index (NDI), while secondary outcome include craniovertebral angle (CVA).
Official title: Diaphragmatic Breathing and Electroacupuncture in Patients With Chronic Neck Pain
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
20 Years - 50 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
72
Start Date
2025-11-15
Completion Date
2026-09-15
Last Updated
2026-07-09
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
physiotherapy care, diaphragmatic breathing, and electroacupuncture
* Physiotherapy care: 30 minutes of physiotherapy, including 10 minutes of hot pack, neck isometrics (muscle setting exercises) (10x10) 3 sets for 10 minutes, and stretching exercises for 10 minutes. * Diaphragmatic breathing: 10 min per session in a comfortable supine position or focusing on slow, deep inhalation with diaphragmatic expansion will reduce pain threshold and prepare the patients to receive the electroacupuncture. * Electroacupuncture: Electrical stimulation with acupuncture needles will be applied to the targeted muscle group for 10 minutes per session by a certified practitioner. The targeted muscles will be the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, splenius capitis, and anterior scalene. * Treatment schedule: The session will consist of 30 minutes of physiotherapy care, 10 minutes of diaphragmatic breathing, and 10 minutes of electroacupuncture
physiotherapy care, simple focused breathing exercises, and electroacupuncture
* Physiotherapy care: 30 minutes of physiotherapy, including 10 minutes of hot pack, neck isometrics (muscle setting exercises) (10x10) 3 sets for 10 minutes, and stretching exercises for 10 minutes. * Simple focused breathing exercises: 10 minutes per session of simple, focused breathing exercises. * Electroacupuncture: Electrical stimulation with acupuncture needles will be applied to the targeted muscle group for 10 minutes per session by a certified practitioner. The targeted muscles will be the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, splenius capitis, and anterior scalene. * Treatment schedule: The session will consist of 30 minutes of physiotherapy care, 10 minutes of simple focused breathing exercises, and 10 minutes of electroacupuncture.
Locations (1)
University of Lahore Teaching Hospital
Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan