For people with persistent tension-type neck pain, a multicomponent pain and stress self-management intervention gives better improvement in ability to control pain and self-efficacy, but not disability, than physical therapy
- Department of Medicine, University of Notre Dame, Sydney, Australia
- Correspondence to: Henry Pollard
Department of Medicine, University of Notre Dame, PO Box 448 Cronulla, Sydney, NSW 2230, Australia; hpollard{at}optushome.com.au
Commentary on:
Context
Gustavsson et al aim to compare the long-term effects of a multicomponent pain and stress self-management group intervention (PASS) and individually administered physical therapy (IAPT) on patients with persistent tension-type neck pain in a primary healthcare setting.
Methods
Patients with neck pain seeking physical therapy treatment at nine physiotherapy health centres in Sweden were consecutively recruited from 2004 to 2006. They were examined by a physical therapist and included if they were 18–65 years of age and had persistent tension-type neck pain of 3 months or more. Exclusions were having received a similar programme previously, pregnancy, language and psychosis (one each), depression (n=16) or receipt of other treatment (n=5).
Patients were randomly allocated into two groups and were …
