Efficacy of cognitive behabioural therapy in non-specific neck pain: A systematic review

INTRODUCTION:

Neck pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders and it implicates several economical and social consequences. The efficacy of the education strategies of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has not been clearly determined yet. This systematic review aimed at finding the evidence of the efficacy of this therapeutic method in non-specific neck pain.

METHODS:

Bibliographic research was carried out from March 17th, 2008 to September 30th, 2009. The detected studies were examined and classified according to specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Controlled trials concerning the effectiveness of CBT versus conventional trreatments were evaluated by means of JADAD Scale and PEDro Scale.

RESULTS:

Fifty-eight studies were found, eight of which (two reviews and six clinical trials) met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Clinical trials quality was good in three studies, but scarce in the other three. The findings of included trials did not show significant differences between conventional and multidisciplinary therapy with respect to neck pain. The two evaluated systematic reviews confirmed this statement.

CONCLUSION:

This systematic review does not allow to assert that CBT leads to better results than conventional therapies. As reliable results lack, specific clinical trials are needed in order to study further CBT techniques specifically with regard to neck pain.