Effects of Adding Whole-Body Vibration to Routine Exercise Therapy on Pain, Disability, Muscle Strength, and Endurance in Individuals With Chronic Nonspecific Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Study Summary

24 participants with chronic nonspecific neck pain (CNNP) were randomized to receive routine exercise therapy combined with whole-body vibration (WBV) (n = 12) or routine exercise therapy alone (n = 12). The outcomes of interest included pain intensity measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), neck-related disability assessed using the Neck Disability Index (NDI), cervical flexor and extensor muscle strength, and cervical muscle endurance. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and 6 weeks. Overall, the results revealed that adding WBV to routine exercise therapy significantly reduced pain and disability while improving cervical flexor strength and endurance compared with exercise therapy alone. However, no significant between-group differences were observed in cervical extensor strength or endurance. These findings suggested that WBV could provide additional short-term benefits for pain, disability, and cervical flexor performance in individuals with CNNP.