Pilates to Treat Neck Pain

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The neck pain comes from disturbances related to the cervical spine, of multifactorial origin and is considered a frequent problem of disability. Pilates is a physical conditioning method that has been widely used to improve posture and develop body awareness. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of the Pilates method in the control of pain, function and quality of life in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain. Methods: 64 patients with chronic mechanical neck pain will be selected and randomized into two groups: intervention and control. Both groups will be assessed for pain, function, quality of life and medication intake. The intervention group will hold Pilates sessions for three months, with two sessions per week. The control group will continue with the usual drug treatment. Both groups will be instructed to use 750mg acetaminophen every 6 hours if there is pain, but consumption of the drug will be controlled. Although the symptoms of neck pain are common in the population, no study has investigated the effects of the Pilates method as a possible treatment for neck pain. The hypothesis is that the Pilates method can offer benefits to these patients.

Official Title
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Effectiveness of Pilates to Treat Mechanical Neck Pain

Conditions
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Mechanical Neck Pain

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Pilates


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: People with diagnosis of chronic mechanical neck pain and symptoms of pain in the lower region of spine, between the occipital and the first thoracic vertebra, for more than three months. Pain between 3 and 8 on the numerical pain scale Age between 18 and 65 Both genders Agree to take part in the study and sign the terms of agreement Exclusion Criteria: Fibromyalgia Previous traumatic injuries in the spine Infections and inflammation in the spine cervical pain radiating to upper limbs The practice of physical activity started or altered in the last 3 months Visual deficiency not corrected by glasses, disturbance in the central nervous system, hearing deficiency making the use of the method impossible.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Pilates Group<br>The group will realize 2 classes per week, lasting one our, of Pilates under supervision of a trained instructor. The training program will last 3 months. | Other: Pilates<br> <br> |
| No Intervention: Control group<br>The patients will keep the drug treatment and will be keep in a waiting list. After the 180 days of study the will be invited to realize the Pilates training. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in pain | Evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) from 0 to 10 | Baseline, after 45, 90 and 180 days | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in function | Evaluated by the Neck Disability Index (score ranges from 0 to 50) | Baseline, after 45, 90 and 180 days | 
| Change in Quality of life | Evaluated by the short form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire | Baseline, after 45, 90 and 180 days | 
| Change in medication intake | Patients fill out a specific form regarding the medication intake | After 45, 90 and 180 days from baseline | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Mechanical Neck Pain, Pain, Function, Quality of life, Pilates