Effect of a stress management program on subjects with neck pain: A pilot randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that stress is implicated in the cause of neck pain (NP). OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of a simple, zero cost stress management program on patients suffering from NP. METHODS: This study is a parallel-type randomized clinical study. People suffering from chronic non-specific NP were chosen randomly to participate in an eight week duration program of stress management (N = 28) (including diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation) or in a no intervention control condition (N = 25). Self-report measures were used for the evaluation of various variables at the beginning and at the end of the eight-week monitoring period. Descriptive and inferential statistic methods were used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: At the end of the monitoring period, the intervention group showed a statistically significant reduction of stress and anxiety (p = 0.03, p = 0.01), report of stress related symptoms (p = 0.003), percentage of disability due to NP (p = 0.000) and NP intensity (p = 0.002). At the same time, daily routine satisfaction levels were elevated (p = 0.019). No statistically significant difference was observed in cortisol measurements. CONCLUSIONS: Stress management has positive effects on NP patients.