Efficacy of Yijinjing combined with Tuina for patients with non-specific chronic neck pain: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: Non-specific chronic neck pain (NCNP) is a common musculoskeletal disorder which has caused a huge economic burden due to its expensive health costs and high re-occurrence rate. Yijinjing and Tuina are widely used for non-specific chronic neck pain in China. But there is little scientific evidence to evaluate their efficacy for NCNP. The aim of this research is to compare the efficacy of Yijinjng combined with Tuina versus Tuina for patients with NCNP. Methods/design: A randomized controlled trial in which 102 patients with non-specific chronic neck pain will be recruited and randomly allocated to either the Tuina group or the Yijinjng combined with Tuina group in a 1:1 ratio. The interventions for both groups will be carried out three times a week for 8 weeks. The patients in the two groups will receive follow-up 1 month after the intervention. The primary outcome will be the changes in the visual analog scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes will be measured by the Neck Disability Index (NDI), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and Tissue Hardness and Active Range of Motion (AROM). The data will be analyzed at the baseline, 4 weeks during the intervention, at the end of the intervention, and 1 month after the intervention. The significance level sets as 5%. The safety of interventions will be evaluated after each treatment session. Discussion: The purpose of this trial is to determine whether Yijinjing combined with Tuina is not inferior to Tuina for patients with NCNP. This study will provide clinicians and stakeholders much-needed knowledge for a complementary and alternative therapy for patients with non-specific chronic neck pain.