Effectiveness of a behaviour graded activity program versus conventional exercise for chronic neck pain patients

Frieke Vonk, Arianne P. Verhagen, Jos W. Twisk, Albère J.A. Köke, Marlies W.C.T. Luiten and Bart W. Koes

This study evaluates the effectiveness of behaviour graded activity (BGA) compared with conventional exercise (CE) for patients with chronic neck pain.  Eligible patients with non-specific chronic neck were randomly allocated to either BGA or CE. Primary treatment outcome is the patient’s global perceived effect concerning recovery from complaint and daily functioning. Outcome assessment was performed at baseline, and at 4, 9, 26, and 52 weeks after randomization. Effectiveness was examined with general estimating equations analyses.  No significant differences between treatments were found in their effectiveness of managing patients with chronic neck pain. In both BGA and CE some patients reported recovery from complaints and daily function but the proportion of recovered patients did not exceed 50% during the 12-month follow-up period.

There was no significant differences between treatments and both groups showed clinically relevant improvements in physical secondary outcomes.

European Journal of Pain, 2009, 13(5), 533-541

Link to Abstract

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