Affiliations: [a] Postgraduate Course Stress Management and Health Promotion, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece | [b] Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, School of Health Sciences, University of Crete, Crete, Greece | [c] First Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Aghia Sofia, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Damianos Metikaridis, Postgraduate Course Stress Management and Health Promotion, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Soranou Ephessiou Str., 4, GR-115-27, Athens, Greece. E-mail:stressmasterssubmissions@yahoo.gr
Note: [1] These authors contributed equally and share last authorship.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that stress is implicated in the
cause of neck pain (NP). OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of a
simple, zero cost stress management program on patients suffering from NP. METHODS: This study is a parallel-type randomized clinical study.
People suffering from chronic non-specific NP were chosen randomly to
participate in an eight week duration program of stress management (N= 28)
(including diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation) or in a
no intervention control condition (N= 25). Self-report measures were used
for the evaluation of various variables at the beginning and at the end of
the eight-week monitoring period. Descriptive and inferential statistic
methods were used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: At the end of the monitoring period, the intervention
group showed a statistically significant reduction of stress and anxiety
(p= 0.03, p= 0.01), report of stress related symptoms (p= 0.003), percentage of
disability due to NP (p= 0.000) and NP intensity (p= 0.002). At the same time,
daily routine satisfaction levels were elevated (p= 0.019). No statistically
significant difference was observed in cortisol measurements. CONCLUSIONS: Stress management has positive effects on NP patients.
