Şeyma Delceoğlu, Elif Esma Safran, Ömer Şevgin, Ertuğrul Safran
{"title":"Multiregional Rehabilitation Targeting the Cervical and Temporomandibular Regions in Chronic Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.","authors":"Şeyma Delceoğlu, Elif Esma Safran, Ömer Şevgin, Ertuğrul Safran","doi":"10.1002/pri.70216","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and purpose: </strong>Non-specific chronic neck pain (NSCNP) is highly prevalent and frequently associated with temporomandibular-related impairments, yet rehabilitation programs commonly focus on a single anatomical region. Given the functional and biomechanical interconnections between the cervical spine and temporomandibular region, this study aimed to compare the short-term effects of a cervical-focused rehabilitation program with an integrated cervical-temporomandibular rehabilitation approach in individuals with NSCNP.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this single-blind, randomized controlled trial, 42 adults with NSCNP were allocated to receive either cervical rehabilitation alone (45 min/session) or an integrated cervical-temporomandibular rehabilitation program (60 min/session), delivered five sessions per week for 4 weeks. Primary outcomes were pain intensity (VAS) and neck-related disability (NDI). Secondary outcomes included posture, cervical range of motion, muscle endurance, and sleep quality. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and immediately post-intervention.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in pain and disability following the intervention period (p < 0.001). Between-group analyses showed greater short-term reductions in pain intensity and neck-related disability in the integrated rehabilitation group compared with cervical rehabilitation alone, with large effect sizes. More pronounced improvements were also observed across several secondary outcomes, including posture, cervical mobility, muscle endurance, and sleep quality. No adverse events were reported.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>An integrated cervical-temporomandibular rehabilitation approach was associated with greater short-term clinical improvements under a higher overall treatment dose than cervical-focused rehabilitation alone in individuals with NSCNP. These findings suggest the potential clinical value of a multiregional treatment perspective; however, they should be interpreted with caution because the Cervical + TMJ group received a higher overall treatment dose, which precludes definitive attribution of the observed effects specifically to the temporomandibular-directed components. Additionally, the findings are limited to immediate post-intervention outcomes.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with ID: NCT06005922.</p>","PeriodicalId":47243,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Research International","volume":"31 2","pages":"e70216"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7000,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Physiotherapy Research International","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1002/pri.70216","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"REHABILITATION","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background and purpose: Non-specific chronic neck pain (NSCNP) is highly prevalent and frequently associated with temporomandibular-related impairments, yet rehabilitation programs commonly focus on a single anatomical region. Given the functional and biomechanical interconnections between the cervical spine and temporomandibular region, this study aimed to compare the short-term effects of a cervical-focused rehabilitation program with an integrated cervical-temporomandibular rehabilitation approach in individuals with NSCNP.
Methods: In this single-blind, randomized controlled trial, 42 adults with NSCNP were allocated to receive either cervical rehabilitation alone (45 min/session) or an integrated cervical-temporomandibular rehabilitation program (60 min/session), delivered five sessions per week for 4 weeks. Primary outcomes were pain intensity (VAS) and neck-related disability (NDI). Secondary outcomes included posture, cervical range of motion, muscle endurance, and sleep quality. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and immediately post-intervention.
Results: Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in pain and disability following the intervention period (p < 0.001). Between-group analyses showed greater short-term reductions in pain intensity and neck-related disability in the integrated rehabilitation group compared with cervical rehabilitation alone, with large effect sizes. More pronounced improvements were also observed across several secondary outcomes, including posture, cervical mobility, muscle endurance, and sleep quality. No adverse events were reported.
Discussion: An integrated cervical-temporomandibular rehabilitation approach was associated with greater short-term clinical improvements under a higher overall treatment dose than cervical-focused rehabilitation alone in individuals with NSCNP. These findings suggest the potential clinical value of a multiregional treatment perspective; however, they should be interpreted with caution because the Cervical + TMJ group received a higher overall treatment dose, which precludes definitive attribution of the observed effects specifically to the temporomandibular-directed components. Additionally, the findings are limited to immediate post-intervention outcomes.
Trial registration: This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with ID: NCT06005922.
期刊介绍：
Physiotherapy Research International is an international peer reviewed journal dedicated to the exchange of knowledge that is directly relevant to specialist areas of physiotherapy theory, practice, and research. Our aim is to promote a high level of scholarship and build on the current evidence base to inform the advancement of the physiotherapy profession. We publish original research on a wide range of topics e.g. Primary research testing new physiotherapy treatments; methodological research; measurement and outcome research and qualitative research of interest to researchers, clinicians and educators. Further, we aim to publish high quality papers that represent the range of cultures and settings where physiotherapy services are delivered. We attract a wide readership from physiotherapists and others working in diverse clinical and academic settings. We aim to promote an international debate amongst the profession about current best evidence based practice. Papers are directed primarily towards the physiotherapy profession, but can be relevant to a wide range of professional groups. The growth of interdisciplinary research is also key to our aims and scope, and we encourage relevant submissions from other professional groups. The journal actively encourages submissions which utilise a breadth of different methodologies and research designs to facilitate addressing key questions related to the physiotherapy practice. PRI seeks to encourage good quality topical debates on a range of relevant issues and promote critical reflection on decision making and implementation of physiotherapy interventions.
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：
京公网安备 11010802042870号
