Clinical Prediction Rules for Identifying Patients With Chronic Neck Pain Who Will Benefit From General Aerobic Exercise

Background:Recently, Hanney et al (2013) derived a preliminary clinical prediction rule (CPR) for identifying patients with neck pain (NP) who may respond to an exercise-based treatment program. These CPRs of neck exercise has not considered aerobic exercise (AE) on NP treatment.

Aims of this study: 1) To investigate the effect of aerobic exercise on chronic neck pain;2) To derive a clinical prediction rule for identifying patients with neck pain who may benefit from aerobic treatment program; 3) To determine the prevalence of neck pain in Israel.

Study Design: Double Blind Randomized controlled trial setting: Outpatients physical therapy clinics of "Clalit Health Services" in Haifa and Western Galilee area.

Participants: Patients referred to physical therapy with a primary diagnosis of chronic non-specific NP.

Methods: Following a baseline examination in which the subjects' status on the CPR will be determined, the subjects (CPR positive and negative) will be randomized, divided into a research group and control group. The CPR status will be determined according to Hanney's paper (e.g.: neck disability Index score < 18/50 ,shoulder protraction, cervical side bending < 32°,Fear avoidance belief questionnaire-physical activity score < 15, not active on a regular basis on bicycle training). Positive CPR is accordance of having 4/5 these points.

The baseline examination will include: active and passive cervical range of motion, neurological exam (reflex, sensation, muscle testing), cervical segmental mobility (accessory movement), neck muscle length, cervical manual muscle test and posture assessment.

The research group will receive neck exercise program with neck massage and AE (leg bicycling with relaxed shoulders) and the control group will receive neck exercise program with neck massage. Both intervention will be delivered by physiotherapist over 10 treatments and will include a home exercise program. Immediate examination will be used at the last treatment (10 treatments), and at 3 and 6 month follow up examination for long-term effects.

In addition, Data collecting from physiotherapy department in "Clalit Health Services" about statistic of patients with NP who referred to physical therapy including: Prevalence, demographic and profile data

Inclusion criteria

• chronic neck pain (> 30 days)
• neck disability index >10
• not physical active on a daily basis

Exclusion criteria

• past history of whiplash injury or cervical surgery
• pain radiates to the upper limb with neurological deficit (reduced reflex, sensation, muscle strength)
• complain of vertigo
• cervical spine diseases: Spondylosis, Spondylolisthesis