Experimental integrative muscular movement technique enhances cervical range of motion in patients with chronic neck pain: a pilot study.

Introduction: Neck pain presents a tremendous physical and financial burden. This study compared the efficacy of the complementary and alternative medical treatments of integrative muscular movement technique (IMMT) and Swedish massage on neck pain in women of occupation age, the largest demographic group with neck pain.

Methods: A total of 38 women were assigned to IMMT (n=28) or Swedish massage (n=10) in a blinded manner. Both groups received eight 30-minute treatments over 4 weeks. Cervical range of motion (ROM) in flexion, extension, sidebending, and rotation was measured before and after treatment. Each patient's pain was assessed by using an analogue pain scale of 0-10.

Results: Compared with the Swedish massage group, patients receiving IMMT experienced a significant increase in ROM in cervical flexion (p<0.001), extension (p<0.001), sidebending (p<0.05), and rotation (p<0.001). Absolute change in pain for IMMT was -1.75 units compared with -0.3 units for Swedish massage (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Patients receiving the IMMT demonstrated significantly improved cervical ROM in every movement measured compared with Swedish massage. Inclusion of the IMMT in a treatment regimen for chronic neck pain may lead to decreased pain and increased cervical ROM. These positive effects of the IMMT intervention may have a role in enhancing functional outcomes in patients with neck pain.