Author(s): YAN, Y., LIN, T., LIU, X., Institution: SOUTH CHINA NORMAL UNIVERSITY, Country: CHINA, Abstract-ID: 145

INTRODUCTION:
With the widespread use of electronic products, the incidence of chronic neck pain is increasing. The further to develop of the disease can lead to cervical spondylosis. At present, the single therapy for chronic neck pain is limited. The purpose of this experiment is to explore the rehabilitation effect of single and combined intervention of alternate ice and hot therapy and functional training on chronic neck pain, and to provide a scientific basis for more effective treatment of chronic neck pain.
METHODS:
40 college students with chronic neck pain were recruited and randomly divided into control group, alternate ice and hot therapy group, exercise group and combination group, with 10 people in each group. Alternate ice and hot therapy, first cold massage for 5 min, and then hot compress for 5 min, alternating 5 times, a total of 30 min. Functional training consists of 3min neck exercises and 12 times in each group, 5 groups in total of elastic band resistance exercises. The combined group was given functional training first and then alternate ice and hot therapy. All interventions were performed once a day, 5 times a week for 6 weeks. The control group did not undergo any intervention. The detection indexes included conscious pain, pressure pain, neck extensor muscle strength and electromyography, range of neck movement, cranial neck angle, neck temperature and neck dysfunction, which were measured once before and after intervention. Conscious pain was evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS).
RESULTS:
After 6 weeks of experimental intervention, the results are as follows: The average electromyography of the neck extensor muscle in the alternate ice and hot therapy group, the exercise group and the combination group increased by 6.04%, 14.07%, and 19.30%, respectively, at the time of neck flexion, and increased by 8.00%, 23.57%, and 29.80%, respectively, at the time of neck extension. The ratio of flexion and extension decreased by 1.77%, 8.30%, and 7.71%, respectively. There was no significant change in the neck electromyography of the control group. Before and after treatment, the average EMG difference between the exercise group and the combined group was very significant ( P<0.01 ), the flexion and extension EMG ratio was significantly different ( P<0.05 ), and the average EMG difference between the alternate ice and hot therapy group was significant ( P<0.05 ).
CONCLUSION:
(1) The comprehensive functional training composed of neck exercises and resistance exercises can effectively reduce the pain of patients with chronic neck pain, enhance neck muscle strength, improve neck mobility and head and neck forward posture, and promote the rehabilitation of chronic neck pain. (2) The alternate ice and hot therapy can effectively relieve the pain of patients with chronic neck pain, reduce the temperature of the affected part, and improve the function of the neck.