The Immediate Effects of Post Isometric Relaxation Techniques
Condition: Neck Pain
MeSH terms: Neck Pain
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the immediate effects of Post Isometric
      Relaxation (PIR) Technique on pain threshold, pain severity and joint range of motion of the
      cervical region in healthcare workers with neck pain.

      Method: A total of 30 male and female participants aged 20-45 were randomly divided into two
      groups (Post Isometric Relaxation (PIR) Technique and Control Group). PIR group participants
      were under a single session of PIR application with 10 repetitions to m.supraspinatus, the
      upper part of the m.trapeze and m.levator scapula in addition to classical Swedish massage
      for neck and upper thoraric region. Control group participants received only classical
      Swedish massage to the cervical and upper thoracic region. Pain severity (Visual Analog
      Scale), Pain threshold (digital algometer), range of servical motion (goniometer) were
      measured at baseline and immediately after the single-session PIR Techniques.
    

Detailed description: 
      Neck pain is the second most common musculoskeletal problem in the world after low back pain
      in terms of disability and health expenditures. Occupational groups with the highest
      incidence of neck pain include those working in a hospital environment, office workers, and
      manual workers.

      Post Isometric Relaxation Technique (PIR) is a Muscle Energy Technique (MET) and is used by
      physiotherapists to relax muscles, reduce pain and increase range of motion. The PIR
      Technique provides its neurological effects through autogenic inhibition, which results in
      relaxation in the agonist muscle by inhibiting contraction with the stimuli sent by the group
      Ib fibers originating from the Golgi tendon organ of the agonist muscle to the medulla
      spinalis during static stretching.

      The aim of our study is to investigate the instantaneous effect of PIR Technique on pain
      threshold, pain intensity and joint range of motion (neck flexion, extension, right and left
      rotation, right and left lateral flexion) in hospital workers with neck pain.

      This experimental study, which was planned as randomized and single-blind, was planned to be
      carried out with a total of 30 volunteer participants, male and female, working in a private
      hospital in Istanbul between 7 October 2022 and 10 December 2022.
    

Intervention name(s): post isometric relaxation; Swedish Massage
Intervention type(s): Other; Other
Intervention description(s): PIR is performed by first passively lengthening the muscle, then having the patient lightly contract (10-20% of maximum) against resistance for 5 seconds passively before exhaling and relaxing the muscle and repeated. The clinician then takes up the slack within the muscle and repeats the technique 3 to 5 times; classic Swedish massage for the cervical and upper thoracic region. Massage is a method that is applied to superficial soft tissues such as muscles, skin, ligaments and fascia and structures located under the superficial tissues and aims to relax.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: neck pain; Post isometric relaxation; hospital employees; pain threshold