Acupuncture versus Breathing Reeducation on Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Chronic neck pain (CNP) limits lung capacity and weakens respiratory muscles, however diaphragmatic breathing and electro-acupuncture can improve breathing and relieve discomfort. Objective: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of electro-acupuncture and breathing reeducation on quality of life in chronic neck pain patients. Patients and methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 45 patients aged 45–55 years, selected from the physiotherapy outpatient clinic at Al-Fayoum University, Egypt. Participants were randomly divided into three equal groups: Group A received both traditional physical therapy and diaphragmatic breathing exercises, group B received both traditional physical therapy and electro-acupuncture and group C received only traditional physical therapy. For a month, three treatment sessions were given each week. Pain intensity, quality of life, functional neck disability and pulmonary performance were evaluated before and after therapy using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Quality of Life Questionnaire (QoLQ), Neck Disability Index (NDI) and spirometry. Participants who reported chronic symptoms for more than three months and moderate pain levels were eligible, but those with comorbidities or conditions that interfered with assessment were excluded. Results: All groups improved, but group A showed largest improvements. Diaphragmatic breathing outperformed electro-acupuncture and conventional therapy alone in reducing VAS and NDI scores and improving QoLQ and spirometric measures. Conclusion: Diaphragmatic breathing exercises offered superior advantages in terms of pulmonary function, quality of life, pain reduction and functional improvement.