The Effectiveness and Cost-effectiveness of Doin (Conduction Exercise) for Chronic Neck Pain
Chronic Neck Pain
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Chronic Neck Pain
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Neck area pain duration of 6 months or longer
- Current Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for neck area pain of 5 or higher
- Patients who have agreed to voluntarily participate in the clinical trial and given written informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
- Patients diagnosed with serious pathology(s) which may cause neck pain (e.g. malignant tumor, spinal infection, inflammatory spondylitis)
- Progressive neurologic deficit or severe neurologic symptoms (e.g. cauda equina syndrome, progressive muscle weakness)
- Pathologies of non-spinal or soft tissue origin or high severity which may cause neck or radiating arm pain (e.g. malignant tumor, spinal infection, inflammatory spondylitis, fibromyalgia, rheumatic arthritis, gout)
- Other chronic diseases which may interfere with treatment effect or interpretation of results (e.g. cardiovascular disorder, renal disease, diabetic neuropathy, dementia, epilepsy)
- Current intake of steroids, immunosuppressant medicine, psychiatric medicine or other medication which may interfere with treatment results
- Patients considered unsuitable or unsafe to receive acupuncture (e.g. patients with hemorrhagic diseases, blood clotting disorders, history of anti-coagulation medicine intake, severe diabetes with high risk of infection, severe cardiovascular diseases)
- Patients who were treated with invasive interventions such as acupuncture or injections, or with medicine that may potentially influence pain such as NSAIDs (nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs) within the past week
- History of cervical surgery within the past 3 months
- Pregnancy or plans of pregnancy
- Severe psychopathy
- Participation in other clinical studies
- Inability to give written informed consent
- Other reasons rendering trial participation inappropriate as judged by the researchers
Sites / Locations
- Bucheon Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine
- Haeundae Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine
- Daejeon Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine
- Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine
- Kyung Hee University Oriental Medicine Hospital at Gangdong
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Active Comparator
Doin with Acupuncture
Acupuncture
An acupuncture physician will administer acupuncture at a total 6-12 acupoints in the upper and middle trapezius areas (mandatory points: both SI15, TE15, and LI16; and selective points: GB20, BL10, GV14, SI14, and Hyeopcheok (Huatuo Jiaji, EX B2) points at C3-5 levels). Cervical Doin (conduction exercise) will be performed with the needles in situ by increasing the cervical range of motion (rotation) with physician guidance and isometric resistance exercise as indicated.
An acupuncture physician will administer acupuncture at a total 6-12 acupoints in the upper and middle trapezius areas (mandatory points: both SI15, TE15, and LI16; and selective points: GB20, BL10, GV14, SI14, and Hyeopcheok (Huatuo Jiaji, EX B2) points at C3-5 levels).