The effects of Tai Chi and neck exercises in the treatment of chronic non-specific neck pain – A randomized controlled trial

Lauche, R; Stumpe, C; Fehr, J; Cramer, H; Cheng, YW; Wayne, PM; Rampp, T; Langhorst, J; Dobos, G

The effects of Tai Chi and neck exercises in the treatment of chronic non-specific neck pain – A randomized controlled trial

Lauche, R

Stumpe, C Fehr, J Cramer, H Cheng, YW Wayne, PM Rampp, T Langhorst, J Dobos, G

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Publication Type:: Conference Proceeding
Citation:: The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2016, 22 (6), pp. A15 - A15
Issue Date:: 2016-05-20

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Lauche, R https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4171-7935	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Stumpe, C	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Fehr, J	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Cramer, H	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Cheng, YW	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Wayne, PM	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Rampp, T	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Langhorst, J	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Dobos, G	en_US
dc.date	2016-05-17	en_US
dc.date.issued	2016-05-20	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2016, 22 (6), pp. A15 - A15	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/44639
dc.description.abstract	Purpose: Tai Chi seems effective for many musculoskeletal conditions. This study aimed to test the efficacy of Tai Chi and neck exercises for treating chronic non-specific neck pain. Methods: Patients suffering from chronic non-specific neck pain were randomly assigned to 12 weeks of group Tai Chi or neck exercises, or usual care. Patients attended weekly sessions of 75–90 minutes, and were advised to practice 15 minutes daily. The primary outcome measure was pain intensity (visual analog scale). Secondary outcomes included pain on movement, functional disability, quality of life, psychological well-being and perceived stress, postural and interoceptive awareness, satisfaction and safety. Results: A total of 114 patients were included in this study (91 females, 49.4 ± 11.7 years). After 12 weeks patients practicing Tai Chi reported significantly less pain compared to usual care (difference: −10.5; 95% CI: −20.3, −0.9; p = 0.033). Significant effects were also found for pain on movement, functional disability and quality of life compared to usual care. No group differences were found for Tai Chi compared to neck exercises. Changes in pain intensity were predicted by age and baseline pain intensity, changes in postural awareness and the number of attended classes. Patients were satisfied with both active interventions and only minor side effects were observed. Conclusion: Twelve weeks of Tai Chi were more effective than usual care to improve pain, disability, quality of life and postural control in patients with chronic non-specific neck pain. Since Tai Chi was equally efficacious, it may be considered a suitable alternative for conventional neck exercises.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	The International Congress on Integrative Medicine & Health	en_US
dc.title	The effects of Tai Chi and neck exercises in the treatment of chronic non-specific neck pain – A randomized controlled trial	en_US
dc.type	Conference Proceeding
utslib.citation.volume	6	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	22	en_US
utslib.location.activity	Las Vegas, NV, USA	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.consider-herdc	false	en_US
pubs.finish-date	2016-06-20	en_US
pubs.issue	6	en_US
pubs.start-date	2016-05-17	en_US
pubs.volume	22	en_US

Abstract:

Purpose: Tai Chi seems effective for many musculoskeletal conditions. This study aimed to test the efficacy of Tai Chi and neck exercises for treating chronic non-specific neck pain. Methods: Patients suffering from chronic non-specific neck pain were randomly assigned to 12 weeks of group Tai Chi or neck exercises, or usual care. Patients attended weekly sessions of 75–90 minutes, and were advised to practice 15 minutes daily. The primary outcome measure was pain intensity (visual analog scale). Secondary outcomes included pain on movement, functional disability, quality of life, psychological well-being and perceived stress, postural and interoceptive awareness, satisfaction and safety. Results: A total of 114 patients were included in this study (91 females, 49.4 ± 11.7 years). After 12 weeks patients practicing Tai Chi reported significantly less pain compared to usual care (difference: −10.5; 95% CI: −20.3, −0.9; p = 0.033). Significant effects were also found for pain on movement, functional disability and quality of life compared to usual care. No group differences were found for Tai Chi compared to neck exercises. Changes in pain intensity were predicted by age and baseline pain intensity, changes in postural awareness and the number of attended classes. Patients were satisfied with both active interventions and only minor side effects were observed. Conclusion: Twelve weeks of Tai Chi were more effective than usual care to improve pain, disability, quality of life and postural control in patients with chronic non-specific neck pain. Since Tai Chi was equally efficacious, it may be considered a suitable alternative for conventional neck exercises.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/44639