[Manual therapy in non-specific neck pain].

AIM: To investigate the effectiveness of manual therapy (MT) in patients with nonspecific neck pain (NNP).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ninety two patients with NNP, aged from 18 to 60 years (41,1±10,2 years), 64 (69,6%) women, 28 (30,4%) men, were examined. Treatment duration was 3 weeks with 6 sessions (2 sessions per week). The effectiveness of treatment was evaluated by measuring the decrease of pain intensity, improvement of daily activity, and patient-related recovery measured with the 11-point Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), the Neck Disability Index (NDI) and the 7-point Global Perceived Effect scale (GPE). Size effect was assessed using Cohen's d.

RESULTS: In the end of treatment, pain was reduced by 3,4±2,3 points (from 4,5±2,5 to 1,1±1,0 points; Cohen's d 1,98); disability was improved by 9,5±5,0 points (from 15,2±5,6 to 5,8±4,0 points; Cohen's d 1,97); patients assessed mean global improvement as «improved» and «much improved» (the improvement by 2-3 points on GPE scale).

CONCLUSION: MT in NNP is effective method of treatment that decreases pain syndrome, improves daily activity and is positively assessed by the patients.