Clinical evaluation and efficacy of photobiomodulation and transcutaneous electrical nervous stimulation in non specific chronic neck pain individuals

Abstract

Background: non specific chronic neck pain is a common pain disorders of the musculoskeletal system that can affect the functional capacity and the quality of life of these individuals. In this way, it is relevant that studies be performed to know more about this disfunction and to investigate the effectiviness of electrophysical agents as treatment. For such, this study will be divided in two. Objectives: the objective of study 1 will be verify differences possible in relation to pain, functional disability, central sensitization and psychosocial factors between non specific chronic neck pain individuals and healthy individuals. The study 2 will verify the efficacy of photobiomodulation (FBM) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), isolated or combined, in non specific chronic neck pain individuals. Methods: in the first study will be done a comparative between non specific chronic neck pain individuals and healthy individuals in the following outcomes: pain, neck mobility, functional disability, pressure pain threshold, topographical pressure pain sensitivity map, temporal summation, pain conditioned modulation, depression, pain catastrophising and quality of life. In the second study the individual with non specific chronic neck pain will be randomized in four groups: FBM and TENS actives, FBM, TENS or placebo. The treatment will be performed during four weeks, 3 times a week. Initially, the outcomes will be pain intensity, functional disability, consumption of medicines, global perceived effect and other outcomes will be considered according to relevance of results of study 1. After one month of the end of the treatment will be a phone contact to evaluate pain, functional disability and global perceived effect. The level of statistical significance was set at p<0.05.