Key Finding
This protocol establishes methodology to evaluate whether regular Chuna maintenance therapy sessions prevent recurrence and maintain improvements in patients with chronic bothersome neck pain compared to self-care education alone.
Researchers in Korea are studying whether regular manual therapy sessions can help people with chronic neck pain that has lasted over a year. This study involves 250 participants across seven Korean medicine hospitals who experience mild but persistent neck discomfort. Participants will be divided into two groups: one receiving Chuna maintenance therapy (CMT), a Korean manual therapy technique involving 10 treatment sessions over 20 weeks, and another receiving self-care and exercise education with 5 sessions. The researchers will measure pain levels using a 0-10 scale and assess how neck pain affects daily activities. They'll also track how many days participants experience bothersome neck pain, whether symptoms return after treatment, quality of life improvements, and cost-effectiveness. This is a pragmatic trial, meaning it's designed to reflect real-world clinical practice rather than ideal laboratory conditions. The study aims to determine if regular manual therapy sessions can prevent recurring neck problems and maintain improvements over time, rather than just treating acute flare-ups. While this specific study focuses on Chuna therapy practiced in Korea, the findings may help inform whether maintenance care approaches using manual therapies—including acupuncture and related techniques—are beneficial for preventing chronic neck pain from worsening. The results could guide both clinical practice and healthcare policy decisions about long-term management strategies for persistent neck discomfort. If you're considering acupuncture or manual therapy for chronic neck pain, seek a licensed and credentialed practitioner with experience treating musculoskeletal conditions.
This multi-institutional pragmatic RCT will evaluate Chuna maintenance therapy (CMT) effectiveness for chronic bothersome neck pain in 250 participants across seven Korean medicine hospitals. Eligible patients present with neck pain exceeding 12 months and average NRS scores of 2-4 over the preceding month. The assessor-blinded trial randomizes participants to either CMT (10 sessions) or self-care/exercise education (5 sessions) over 20 weeks, with 6-week follow-up. Primary outcomes include average neck pain NRS and Neck Disability Index (NDI) scores over the preceding 2 weeks, analyzed using linear mixed models calculating group-specific areas under the curve. Secondary outcomes encompass VAS, days with bothersome pain, recurrence rates, PGIC, quality of life measures, and cost-effectiveness analysis. This protocol addresses a significant evidence gap regarding maintenance manual therapy for preventing musculoskeletal disorder recurrence rather than acute symptom management. The pragmatic design enhances external validity and real-world applicability for clinical decision-making regarding long-term manual therapy maintenance protocols.
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