The Effect of Physical Therapy on Pain and Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Neck Pain: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of physical therapy (PT) on pain, functional status, depressive symptoms, and quality of life in patients with chronic neck pain (CNP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was designed as a randomized controlled trial involving outpatient clinic patients at a tertiary care hospital and included 80 patients with CNP. The patients were randomly assigned to two groups. The treatment group (TG) received ten sessions of conventional PT (hot pack, ultrasound, and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) and home-based exercises. The control group (CG) was only given a home-based exercise program. Both groups were informed about correct posture and daily life activities. Patients were assessed pre-treatment, at the end of treatment (2 weeks), and 12 weeks after the treatment using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS pain), cervical range of motion (ROM), Beck Depression Index (BDI), and short form-36 (SF-36). RESULTS: Both groups showed significant improvements in VAS pain scores, ROM, SF-36, and BDI scores post-treatment (p<0.01 for all). At the three-month follow-up, the improvements in the TG continued, while the CG showed a regression compared to the levels observed two weeks after the treatment. The degree of improvement in VAS pain and BDI scores in the TG was significantly greater than in the CG (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: In the treatment of CNP, adding PT modalities to the home exercise resulted in greater reductions in pain, disability, and depressive symptoms, as well as improvements in quality of life compared to home exercise alone. It’s appropriate to recommend PT modalities as a beneficial treatment for CNP.