Article

The aim of this systematic review was to determine the efficacy of
thoracic spine manipulation (TSM) in reducing pain and disability in patients
diagnosed with non-specific neck pain. METHODS: An extensive literature search of
PubMed, The Cochrane Library, CINAHL and EMBASE was conducted in February 2012.
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or controlled clinical trials evaluating the
effect of TSM in patients aged 18 to 65 years with non-specific neck pain were
eligible. Methodological quality of the studies was assessed according to the
Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale (PEDro). Qualitative analyses were
conducted by means of the best evidence synthesis of van Peppen et al. RESULTS:
The methodological quality of the 10 included RCTs (677 patients) varied between
four and eight points. Eight studies reported significant reduction in pain
and/or disability by TSM. Overall, according to the best evidence synthesis,
there is insufficient evidence that TSM is more effective than control
interventions in reducing pain and disability in patients with non-specific neck
pain. CONCLUSIONS: TSM has a therapeutic benefit to some patients with neck pain,
when compared to the effect of interventions such as electrotherapy/thermal
programme, infrared radiation therapy, spinal mobilization and exercises.
However, in comparison to cervical spine manipulation, no evidence is found that
TSM is more effective in reducing pain and disability. Implications for
Rehabilitation TSM is often used in the treatment of non-specific neck pain,
which is a major health problem in the Western society.
There is insufficient
evidence that TSM is more effective in reducing pain and disability than control
treatments in patients with non-specific neck pain. Despite the insufficient
evidence that TSM is more effective than control treatments, TSM has a
therapeutic benefit to some patients with neck pain. Therefore, TSM alone or in
combination with other interventions is a suitable intervention to use in the
treatment of non-specific neck pain.

Langue : ANGLAIS