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I. Hewidy1, F. Kamel2, M. Basha2, A. Alsharidah3, M. Ezzat1, N. Aboelnour1
1Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt, 2College of Medical Rehabilitation, Qassim University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia, 3College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia
Background: Cervical myofascial pain following neck dissection surgery is a common problem. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) has been introduced efficiently for more than 20 years as a treatment modality in orthopedic and musculoskeletal disorders.
Purpose: To investigate the efficacy of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) on cervical myofascial pain following neck dissection in reducing pain and improving cervical range of motion (ROM).
Methods: Participants were assigned randomly into two equal groups. The ESWT group received ESWT once a week for 4 weeks (0.25 mL/mm2 , 1,000 shocks) and a topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (3 times/day for 4 weeks). The control group received only topical NSAID. The pain was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) and pressure algometry. A cervical ROM device was used for assessment of the lateral flexion and rotation of the neck ROM on both sides. All measurements were collected at baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks.
Results: The ESWT group revealed a significant improvement in all parameters at post I and post II than did the control group (p>0.001), that revealed a statistical decrease only in the VAS score at post I without any statistical difference in the pain threshold and neck ROM. However, there were statistical differences in all parameters at post II compared to those at pre-treatment and post I (p<0.001).
Conclusion(s): As a confirmation of the efficacy of ESWT in cervical myofascial pain control following neck dissection, we observed better results with no side effects in the ESWT group.
Implications: This study may provide a safe, effective and non- invasive treatment modality for MPS, in an attempt to
avoid invasive modalities and oral medications that can- not be tolerated for a long period due to their systemic adverse effects.
avoid invasive modalities and oral medications that can- not be tolerated for a long period due to their systemic adverse effects.
Funding, acknowledgements:
This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not for-profit sectors.
This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not for-profit sectors.
Keywords: Myofascial pain syndromes, Neck dissections, Extracorporeal shock wave therapy
Topic: Pain & pain management
Did this work require ethics approval? Yes
Institution: faculty of physical therapy , Cairo University.
Committee: Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University.
Ethics number: (No. P.T.REC/012/001857).
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
