The Effects of Two Different Home-exercise Programmes on Women Suffering Long Term Neck/Shoulder Muscle Pain

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of specific neck/shoulder muscle exercises on pain, function, biochemistry and psychological factors in women suffering chronic neck/shoulder pain.

Official Title
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The Effects (Pain, Function, Biochemistry and Psychological Factors) of Two Different Home-exercise Programmes on Women Suffering Long Term Nack/Shoulder Muscle Pain

Conditions
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Neck Pain

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Stretching and aerobic exercise
* Other: Strength training


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: female 20-60 long term neck/shoulder muscle pain willing to exercise Exclusion Criteria: widespread pain pregnancy major trauma in medical history tendonitis in upper extremities neurological causes of the pain inflammatory and hormonal disorders

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 20 Years
Maximum Age: 60 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

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: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Group 1: Stretching and aerobic exercise<br>Group 1 undertook a stretching programme for neck/shoulder muscles three times weekly and performed aerobic exercise för 30 minutes three times weekly. | Other: Stretching and aerobic exercise<br>* Stretching programme for neck/shoulder muscles three times weekly and aerobic exercise för 30 minutes three times weekly. Participants kept exercise diaries and physiotherapist provided support over the phone or through e-mail. The intervention lasted one year.<br>|
| Experimental: Group 2: Strength training<br>Group 2 undertook a stretching programme for neck/shoulder muscles three times weekly, performed aerobic exercise three times weekly and performed weight training using dumbbells for the neck/shoulder area and exercises to strengthen core and leg muscles for 45 minutes three times weekly. | Other: Strength training<br>* Stretching programme for neck/shoulder muscles three times weekly, aerobic exercise för 30 minutes three times weekly and weight training using dumbbells for the neck/shoulder area and exercises to strengthen core and leg muscles for 45 minutes three times weekly. Participants kept exercise diaries and physiotherapist provided support over the phone or through e-mail. The intervention lasted one year.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pain | Methods of measurement: Surveys, physical tests, microdialysis. | Before training, 4-6 months and after one year of training. | 
| Function | Methods of measurement: Surveys, physical tests, microdialysis. | Before training, 4-6 months and after one year of training. | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Muscle biochemistry | Biochemical substances from the interstitium of the trapezius muscle will be determined eg, serotonin, glutmate, lactate, pyruvate, endocannabinoids. | Before training, 4-6 months follow-up and 12 months follow-up | 
| Psychological factors | Aspects concerning psychological distress will be followed eg depression and anxiety using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). | Before training, 4-6 months follow-up and 12 months follow-up | 
| Pain sensitivity | Pain thresholds for pressure (algometry) and heat and cold (QST) will be registered. | Before training, 4-6 months follow-up and 12 months follow-up | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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chronic, neck, shoulder, exercise