Use of low level of continuous heat and Ibuprofen as an adjunct to physical therapy improves pain relief, range of motion and the compliance for home exercise in patients with nonspecific neck pain: A randomized controlled trial
Affiliations: [a] School of Physical Therapy, Touro University, Henderson, NV, USA | [b] Department of Physical Therapy, Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan | [c] Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Gachon University, Incheon, Korea
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Haneul Lee, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Gachon University, 191 Hambagmeolo, Yeonsu-gu, Incehon, 406-799, Korea. Tel.: +82 32 820 4335; Fax: +82 32 820 4420; E-mail:leehaneul84@gachon.ac.kr
Abstract: BACKGROUND: It has been well documented at heat reduces pain and
increases healing by increasing blood flow in tissue. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to see if the use of low
level continuous heat (LLCH) and Ibuprofen used as a home therapy between
physical therapy sessions at a clinic resulted in better therapy outcomes in
people with chronic neck pain. METHODS: Ninety-two patients with chronic nonspecific neck pain
were randomly divided into 4 groups; LLCH group, LLCH with Ibuprofen (IP)
group, sham LLCH with sham IP group, and controls. All subjects underwent 45
minutes of conventional physical therapy twice a week for 2 weeks. the neck
disability index (NDI), subjective pain, range of motion (ROM), strength of
the neck, and home exercise compliance were measured. RESULTS: Both LLCH and IP significantly reduced pain and NDI score,
and increased ROM (p< 0.01). Home exercise compliance in LLCH and LLCH with
IP group was significantly higher than the placebo and control groups (p < 0.05). CONCUSION: The use of LLCH alone and LLCH with IP as an adjunct to
conventional physical therapy for chronic neck pain significantly improved
pain attenuation and it causes greater compliance for home.
