EFFECTIVENESS OF RELAXATION TRAINING IN ADDITION TO STABILIZATION EXERCISES IN CHRONIC NECK PAIN: A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL

Purpose: The study aimed to investigate and compare the effects of a 4-week neck stabilization exercise program plus progressive muscle relaxation training (PMRT) to stabilization exercise program alone in patients with chronic neck pain (CNP). Methods: The patients were randomly divided into two groups: (1) Stabilization Exercise (Exercise) Group (n=30, age=43.20±14.10 years), and (2) Stabilization Exercise combined with PMRT (Relaxation) Group (n=28, age=38.43±12.81 years). The programs were carried out three days per week for four weeks. Before and after the program, pain intensity using Visual Analog Scale, pressure pain threshold using an algometer, cervical range of motion using a goniometer, disability using Neck Disability Index, kinesophobia using Tampa Scale, and quality of life using Short Form- 36 were assessed. Results: After the programs, pain intensity, and disability decreased, cervical flexion, extension, right lateral flexion, and rotation movements increased in the Exercise Group (p<0.05). In the Relaxation Group, pain intensity, disability, and kinesiophobia reduced, and pain pressure threshold, all cervical range of movements, and quality of life scores improved (p<0.05). Intergroup comparisons showed that the pain pressure threshold, cervical flexion, right lateral flexion, the right and left rotation range of movements, and kinesiophobia improvements were better in the Relaxation Group (p<0.05). Conclusion: The stabilization exercises with and without relaxation were effective in improving pain, movements, and disability in patients with CNP. Addition of relaxation had superiority to improve pain pressure threshold, neck movements, and kinesiophobia.