Article

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether long-term neck and upper body exercises conducted in
economical community-based outpatient clinic and home-based settings could
improve health-related quality of life (HRQoL)for individuals affected by chronic
neck pain. The effect of baseline HRQoL and neck pain values on training
adherence was also studied. METHODS: Subjects (n = 101,
91 women/10 men, mean age
41.0 +/- 9.5 years) with chronic non-specific neck pain were randomized to a
combined strength-training and stretching-exercise group (CSSG, n = 49) or to a
stretching exercise group
(SG, n = 52). HRQoL was assessed at baseline and after
12 months using the RAND-36 questionnaire. Comparisons between groups were
performed using bootstrap-type analysis of covariance.
The impact of HRQoL and
neck pain values on training adherence, determined using participants' exercise
logs, was studied using generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: CSSG showed
significant improvements in five and SG in four of eight of the HRQoL dimensions.
There were no significant differences between the groups. Adherence to long-term
training was only slightly affected by baseline-assessed HRQoL and neck pain values. CONCLUSIONS: The two training protocols were feasible and equally
effective in improving HRQoL. Baseline HRQoL and pain values had only a minor
effect on training adherence. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: * Long-term
strength training and stretching are effective in improving HRQoL in people with
chronic neck pain. * Baseline HRQoL and neck pain values have little effect on training adherence.

Langue : ANGLAIS