ArticleThe open orthopaedics journal2013
An ICON Overview on Physical Modalities for Neck Pain and Associated Disorders.
Article in The open orthopaedics journal, 2013. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT03945240 (Evaluating Different Low-level Laser Therapies to Treat Neck Pain in Air Force Pilots and Flight Crew), which is not on this map. Cited by 15 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Evaluating Different Low-level Laser Therapies to Treat Neck Pain in Air Force Pilots and Flight Crew
Who cites it
15 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 54 citations in OpenAlex.
- WITHDRAWN: Acupuncture for neck disorders.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2016Pooled it
- The effects of conventional treatment in addition to Pilates on biopsychosocial status in chronic neck pain: A randomized clinical trial.Journal of back and musculoskeletal rehabilitation · 2024Trial
- Comparison of the effectiveness of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization and extracorporeal shock wave therapy in myofascial pain syndrome.Turkish journal of medical sciences · 2023Trial
- Thermotherapy Plus Neck Stabilization Exercise for Chronic Nonspecific Neck Pain in Elderly: A Single-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2020Trial
- The validity and reliability of a real-time AI-based neck exercise program among young adults in Thailand: evaluation of accuracy and execution time.Frontiers in artificial intelligence · 2026Article
- Effects of Sling-Based Thoracic Active Exercise on Pain and Function and Quality of Life in Female Patients with Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2021Article
- Article
- Effectiveness of Hydrogalvanic Bath on Improving Pain, Disability, and Quality of Life in Individuals with Chronic Nonspecific Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM · 2020Article
- Neck pain in South Africa: An overview of the prevalence, assessment and management for the contemporary clinician.The South African journal of physiotherapy · 2019Article
- Musculoskeletal diagnostic ultrasound imaging for thickness measurement of four principal muscles of the cervical spine -a reliability and agreement study.Chiropractic & manual therapies · 2017Article
- Acupuncture for low back pain: an overview of systematic reviews.Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM · 2015Review
- Role of rehabilitation medicine and physical agents in the treatment of cancer-associated pain.Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology · 2014Review
- Treatment preferences amongst physical therapists and chiropractors for the management of neck pain: results of an international survey.Chiropractic & manual therapies · 2014Article
- Chronic neck pain: making the connection between capsular ligament laxity and cervical instability.The open orthopaedics journal · 2014Article
- Knowledge Translation Tools are Emerging to Move Neck Pain Research into Practice.The open orthopaedics journal · 2013Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
8 authors at 4 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
introductionNeck pain is common, can be disabling and is costly to society. Physical modalities are often included in neck rehabilitation programs. Interventions may include thermal, electrotherapy, ultrasound, mechanical traction, laser and acupuncture. Definitive knowledge regarding optimal modalities and dosage for neck pain management is limited. PURPOSE: To systematically review existing literature to establish the evidence-base for recommendations on physical modalities for acute to chronic neck pain.
methodsA comprehensive computerized and manual search strategy from January 2000 to July 2012, systematic review methodological quality assessment using AMSTAR, qualitative assessment using a GRADE approach and recommendation presentation was included. Systematic or meta-analyses of studies evaluating physical modalities were eligible. Independent assessment by at least two review team members was conducted. Data extraction was performed by one reviewer and checked by a second. Disagreements were resolved by consensus.
resultsOf 103 reviews eligible, 20 were included and 83 were excluded. Short term pain relief - Moderate evidence of benefit: acupuncture, intermittent traction and laser were shown to be better than placebo for chronic neck pain. Moderate evidence of no benefit: pulsed ultrasound, infrared light or continuous traction was no better than placebo for acute whiplash associated disorder, chronic myofascial neck pain or subacute to chronic neck pain. There was no added benefit when hot packs were combined with mobilization, manipulation or electrical muscle stimulation for chronic neck pain, function or patient satisfaction at six month follow-up.
conclusionsThe current state of the evidence favours acupuncture, laser and intermittent traction for chronic neck pain. Some electrotherapies show little benefit for chronic neck pain. Consistent dosage, improved design and long term follow-up continue to be the recommendations for future research.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.