Trial reportPM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitation2026
Clinical effects of passive cable theory applied via subthreshold electrical stimulation in chronic neck pain: A randomized trial.
Trial report in PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitation, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
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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.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Clinical effects of passive cable theory applied via subthreshold electrical stimulation in chronic neck pain: A randomized trial.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitation · 2026Trial
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundNeck pain is considered a common problem in adults. Chronic neck pain usually causes hypersensitivity of nociceptors. Current pain therapies have not targeted this hypersensitivity. Recently, a novel theory used in rehabilitation called the passive cable theory was developed. This theory helps in treating hypersensitive areas like nociceptors.
objectiveTo investigate the passive cable theory applied via subthreshold stimulation on electromyographical activity (EMG) of neck muscles, myofascial trigger point sensitivity, pain, and disability in patients with chronic neck pain.
designA randomized double-blinded controlled trial.
settingOutpatient clinic.
participantsForty patients with chronic neck pain were randomly distributed to the study and control groups.
interventionThe study group received subthreshold electrical stimulation for 8 weeks, and the control group received sham treatment.
main outcome measuresThe main outcome measurements were EMG activity of the upper trapezius muscle, neck pain intensity, myofascial trigger point sensitivity, neck flexion, neck lateral flexion to both sides, and neck lateral rotation to both sides. All outcomes were measured at preintervention, postintervention (8 weeks), and follow-up (8 weeks).
resultsAt preintervention, there were nonsignificant differences in resting EMG, maximum EMG, pain intensity, pressure threshold, neck flexion, neck right flexion, neck left flexion, neck right rotation, and neck left rotation (p > .05). Post intervention (8 weeks), there were significant differences between study and control groups for all outcomes (p < .05).
conclusionEight weeks of subthreshold stimulation is an effective intervention for reducing resting EMG activity in neck muscles while increasing their maximum contraction. It also decreases myofascial trigger point sensitivity, pain, and disability in patients with chronic neck pain. These improvements are maintained for at least 8 weeks following treatment.
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