Neck pain and emotional state in cervical spondylosis: A dual trajectory model analysis.

Researchers in China studied how neck pain and emotional distress interact over time in people with cervical spondylosis, a common condition causing neck pain and stiffness. The study followed 472 patients from eight hospitals for eight weeks, comparing those who received acupuncture treatment to those who took medication. Patients were evaluated at the start and then at weeks 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 using standard questionnaires that measured both their neck pain levels and emotional well-being. The researchers found that neck pain and emotional distress move together in a two-way relationship: as neck pain worsens, emotional distress tends to increase, and vice versa. Three distinct patterns emerged among patients—low, medium, and high levels of both pain and emotional symptoms. Importantly, the study showed that acupuncture significantly reduced the likelihood of patients experiencing high levels of either neck pain or emotional distress. In fact, 69.1% of patients with low neck pain also reported low emotional distress. Age was identified as a risk factor, with older patients more likely to experience severe symptoms. The researchers concluded that treating cervical spondylosis requires addressing both physical pain and emotional health together. Acupuncture appears to be effective for both aspects, making it a valuable treatment option. If you're considering acupuncture for neck pain, seek care from a licensed acupuncturist with experience treating cervical conditions.

This prospective cohort study of 472 cervical spondylosis patients across eight Chinese hospitals employed group-based dual-trajectory modeling to examine longitudinal pain-emotion relationships over 8 weeks. Participants received acupuncture or medication with assessments at baseline and weeks 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 using the Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire (NPQ) and SF-MPQ affective subscale. Three trajectory groups (low, medium, high) were identified for both measures. Multivariate logistic regression revealed acupuncture significantly reduced odds of high NPQ trajectory (OR=0.382, P<0.001) and high SF-MPQ trajectory (OR=0.336, P<0.001), while age increased risk for both (OR=1.058 and 1.037 respectively, P<0.001). Dual-trajectory analysis demonstrated bidirectional associations: 69.1% of low NPQ patients had low SF-MPQ scores, and 42.6% of high SF-MPQ patients had high NPQ scores. Clinical takeaway: Acupuncture effectively addresses both pain and emotional components of cervical spondylosis, supporting integrated treatment protocols that target psychological and physical dimensions simultaneously.