Systematic Literature Review of the Efficacy and Safety of Khan Kinetic Treatment for Neck and Back Pain

Introduction Khan Kinetic Treatment (KKT) utilizes high-frequency, small-amplitude sinusoidal waves to activate neuromuscular structures to treat neck and back pain. It integrates biomechanics, physical therapy, and neurophysiology. Despite its global use, KKT is not included in clinical guidelines for neck and back pain due to limited data on its safety and efficacy. This study aims to evaluate the available literature on KKT’s current practice in spinal pain management. Methods A systematic literature search of PubMed and Google Scholar identified articles on KKT for cervical and lumbar pain using specific keywords. Eligibility criteria included English-language articles without publication date restrictions, patients over 18 years of age undergoing KKT for neck or lower back pain, any outcome measure, and no restrictions on study design or publication date, with the latest date being June 2024. Results The search yielded 219 articles; 5 studies met the inclusion criteria and quality assessment. The studies included three Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and two case reports. Sample sizes ranged from 1 to 49 participants, focusing on neck and lower back pain. The RCTs were rated as Level 2 evidence, while other studies were rated as lower evidence. A high risk of bias was observed in the included trials, and significant heterogeneity in design and outcomes precluded meta-analysis. Conclusion Current evidence on KKT’s efficacy for spinal pain is sparse and inconsistent. While some studies suggest benefits in pain reduction and functional improvement, methodological limitations and small sample sizes undermine generalizability. Further, well-designed studies are needed to evaluate KKT’s efficacy, safety, and costeffectiveness.