Efficacy of Stabilization Exercise for Neck Pain: A Narrative Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Studies

Abstract

Introduction Stabilization exercise may be an important approach to alleviate neck pain. However, its use has not been well established. We conduct a narrative review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of stabilization exercise to control neck pain.

Methods PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials are searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the influence of stabilization exercise on neck pain are included. Two investigators independently have searched articles, extracted data, and assessed the quality of included studies. Meta-analysis is performed using the random-effect model.

Results Five RCTs involving 217 patients are included in the meta-analysis. Compared with control intervention for neck pain, stabilization exercises has no notable impact on pain intensity (Std. MD=−0.55; 95% CI=−1.24 to 0.14; P=0.12), neck disability index (Std. MD=−0.44; 95% CI=−1.01 to 0.13; P=0.13), SF-36 physical health (Std. MD=−0.18; 95% CI=−0.61 to 0.26; P=0.43), SF-36 mental health (Std. MD=−0.03; 95% CI=−0.47 to 0.41; P=0.89), but can remarkably decrease depression scale (Std. MD=−1.05; 95% CI=−1.59 to −0.50; P=0.0002).

Conclusions Stabilization exercises shows similar impact on pain intensity, neck disability index, SF-36 physical health and SF-36 mental health, but significant reduced depression scale compared with control intervention in patients with neck pain.

ZUSAMMENFASSUNG

Einführung: Stabilisierungsübungen können ein wichtiger Ansatz bei der Therapie von Nackenschmerzen sein. Solche Übungen gehören jedoch nicht zu den gut etablierten Therapien. Wir führten einen systematischen Überblick und Meta-Analyse durch, um die Wirkung von Stabilisierungsübungen auf die Linderung von Nackenschmerzen zu evaluieren.

Methoden: Wir führten eine Recherche in PubMed, Embase und dem Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials durch. Eingeschlossen waren randomisierte kontrollierte Studien (RCT), in denen der Einfluss von Stabilisierungsübungen auf Nackenschmerzen bewertet wurde. Zwei Untersucher führten unabhängig voneinander eine Recherche der Artikel durch, extrahierten Daten und bewerteten die Qualität der jeweiligen Studien. Die Metaanalyse wurde anhand des Ramdom-effects Modells durchgeführt.

Ergebnisse: In die Metaanalyse waren fünf randomisierte kontrollierte Studien (RCT) mit insgesamt 217 Patienten eingeschlossen. Im Vergleich zu den Therapien der Kontrollgruppen bei Nackenschmerzen hatten Stabilisierungsübungen keinen nennenswerten Einfluss auf die Schmerzintensität (Std. MD=-0,55; 95% CI=-1,24 bis 0,14; P=0,12), die Funktionseinschränkung der Nackenmuskulatur (NDI) (Std. MD=-0,44; 95% CI=-1,01 bis 0,13; P=0,13), die körperliche Gesundheit gemäß SF-36 (Std. MD=-0,18; 95% CI=-0,61 bis 0,26; P=0,43), die psychische Gesundheit gemäß SF-36 (Std. MD=-0,03; 95% CI=-0,47 bis 0,41; P=0,89), konnte aber den Wert der Depressionsskala deutlich senken (Std. MD=-1,05; 95% CI=-1,59 bis -0,50; P=0,0002).

Schlussfolgerungen: Bei Patienten mit Nackenschmerzen zeigen Stabilisierungsübungen im Vergleich zu Therapien der Kontrollgruppen eine ähnliche Wirkung auf die Schmerzintensität, die Funktionseinschränkung der Nackenmuskulatur (NDI), die (SF-36) körperliche Gesundheit und die psychische Gesundheit (SF-36); Stabilisierungsübungen zeigten aber eine signifikante Reduktion auf der Depressionsskala.

Key words

stabilization exercises - neck pain - pain intensity - randomized controlled trials.

Schlüsselwörter

Rehabilitationserfolg - Neuromuskuläre Erkrankungen - aerobes Training

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