Table 4.
Study characteristics. Specific strength vs. body-mind exercises.
| Reference | Characteristics of Participants | Specific Intervention (SI) | Non-Specific Intervention (NSI) + Reference Intervention (REF) | Outcome Measures / Follow-Up Period |
Main Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ahlgren et al. [28] | ♀ < 45 y with trapezius myalgia for ≥1 y + sick leave ≤ 1 m last y n = 136 ♀ (−34 excluded/withdrew = 102 ♀) 38.2 y SI1 group n = 29 ♀ 38.0 ± 6.0 y SI2 group n = 28 ♀ 38.5 ± 5.6 y NSI group n = 25 ♀ 37.6 ± 6.1 y REF group n = 20 ♀ 38.9 ± 5.4 y |
- 3 × 1 h/w supervised for 10 w - 15′ general warm-up - Last 10′: stretching SI1 group: 4 neck-shoulder specific strengthening concentric ex with air machines - Load individualized to 2 × 12 RM - Load ↑ when 3 sets = comfortable SI2 group: endurance training with arm ergometer alternated with specific arm ex. with rubber expanders - 4 × 3′ arm ergometer (110–120 bpm) - Specific arm ex: 3′ - Expanders individually loaded to allow 30–35 RM/ex/set (3 sets) |
Body awareness - 3 × 1 h/w supervised for 10 w - 15′ general warm-up - Muscular tension awareness and relaxation - Attention focused on balance, posture and breathing REF group - 1 × 2 h/w supervised for 10 w - No physical act. Learn and discuss stress management |
Pain: - Pain at present (VAS1) - Pain in general (VAS2) - Pain at worst (VAS3) ~ baseline ~ post-intervention (10 w) PPTs: 6 trigger points in the 3 portions of the trapezius (TP) muscle (TP2, TP4, TP5), 2 sides (R, L) PD: Pain distribution and pain character (% total body area) |
Short-term effects (post-intervention): VAS1: - ↓ SI1, SI2 and NSI; = REFVAS2: - ↓ SI1, SI2 and NSI; = REFVAS3: - ↓ SI1, SI2 and NSI; = REF- ΔSI1 & ΔSI2 > ΔREF |
| Waling et al. [29] |
Short-term effects (post-intervention): VAS 1: - ↓ SI1, SI2, NSI; = REF - ΔSI1 = ΔSI2 = ΔNSI = ΔREF - Δ“exercisers” (SI1 + SI2 + NSI) > ΔREF VAS 2: - ↓ SI1, SI2, NSI; = REF - ΔSI1 = Δ SI2 = ΔNSI = ΔREF VAS3: - ↓ SI1, SI2, NSI; = REF - ΔSI1 and ΔSI2 > ΔREF - Δ“exercisers” (SI1 + SI2 + NSI) > ΔREF PPTs: - ↑SI2 (in 2 trigger points); = SI1, NSI and REF - TP2L: ΔSI1 < ΔSI2 ΔSI2 > ΔREF - TP5L: ΔSI2 > ΔREF ΔNSI > ΔREF - TP2R, TP5R and TP5L: Δ“exercisers” (SI1 + SI2 + NSI) > ΔREF PD: - ΔSI1 = ΔSI2 = ΔNSI = ΔREF |
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| Cramer et al. [30] | Patients (18–60 y) + non-specific neck pain VAS ≥ 4 and ≥ 3 m n = 51 42 ♀ and 9 ♂ 47.8 ± 10.4 y VAS 4.5 ± 1.9 SI group n = 26 21 ♀ and 5 ♂ 49.5 ± 9.5 y NSI group n = 25 21 ♀ and 4 ♂ 46.2 ± 11.2 y |
Specific neck–shoulder posture awareness, stretching and strengthening ex - 10′/d (home ex) for 9 w - Self-care manual - Sitting position - Use of a towel as an aid - Diary |
Yoga - 90′ yoga session/w for 9 w: - 10–15 patients - 8–10 yoga postures/session - Last 15′ relaxation - Iyengar yoga type - 3 sitting + 3 standing postures - No previous experience in yoga - + 10′/d (home ex) - Diary |
Pain: - Pain at rest (VAS1) - Pain at motion (VAS2) (after 6 reps of head flex, ext, lateral flex R/L, rotation R/L) (mean pain intensity of the 6 movements) SF36-BP (bodily pain items) PPTs: - Maximal pain site (PPT) ~ baseline ~ post-intervention (9 w) |
Short-term effects (post-intervention): VAS1: - ↓NSI; = SI - ΔNSI > ΔSI VAS2: - ↓ SI & NSI - ΔSI = ΔNSI SF36-BP: - ↑ NSI; = SI - ΔNSI > ΔSI PPTs: - ↑ NSI; = SI - ΔNSI > ΔSI |
| Viljanen et al. [31] | ♀ office workers (30–60 y) with chronic non-specific neck pain ≥ 3 m n = 393 ♀ (end 340 ♀) SI group n = 135 ♀ (end 111 ♀) 45 ± 6.6 y NSI group n = 128 ♀ (end 110 ♀) 43 ± 7.3 y REF group n = 130 ♀ (end 119 ♀) 44 ± 7.4 y ITT analysis |
Specific neck–shoulder dynamic strengthening ex with dumbbells - 3 times/w for 12 w + reinforcement training for 1 w - Supervised groups ≤ 10 people - 1–3 kg according to RM test with 7.5 kg - Intensity progressively ↑ - Stretching after each ex |
Relaxation - 3 times/w for 12 w + reinforcement training for 1 w: - Supervised groups ≤ 10 people - Progressive relaxation method, autogenic training, functional relaxation and systematic desensitisation - ≠Techniques being incorporated through the 12 w REF group - Ordinary act - No supervision |
Pain: - Pain intensity (VAS) ~ Baseline ~ post-intervention (13 w) ~ 3 m follow-up ~ 9 m follow-up |
Short-term effects (post-intervention): VAS: - =SI, NSI and REF - ΔSI = ΔNSI = ΔREF Long-term effects (both follow-up moments): VAS: - =SI, NSI and REF - ΔSI = ΔNSI = ΔREF |
Abbreviations: ′, minute/s; ↑, increased/higher; ↓, decreased/lower; =, no change; ≠, different; ♂, male subjects; ♀, female subjects; CI, confidence interval; D, day/s; EX, exercise/s; EXT, extension; FLEX, flexion; ITT, intention to treat analysis; KG, kilogram/s; L, left; M, month/s; n, number of subjects; NSI, Non-specific intervention; PD, pain drawings; R, right; REF, reference group; REPS, repetitions; RM repetition maximum; SI, specific intervention; VAS, visual analogical scale; W, week/s; Y, years.