AB0667 The effectiveness of therapeutic ultrasound in non-specific mechanical cervical pain and comparison of different application methods for clinical practice

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of therapeutic ultrasound (US) in non-specific mechanical neck pain, and to compare the effects of intermittent and continuous US applications on pain severity and functional disability. Methods Seventy-one patients, aged between 18 and 65, with non-spesific mechanical neck pain suffering from less than three months were included the study. After the baseline measurements, patients were randomized to three physical treatment groups. US was applied at 1.5 Watt/cm2 power, 100 Hz, 1 MHz frequency with 50% duty cycle intermittently in the first group and 1.5 Watt/cm2 power, 100 Hz, 1 MHz frequency continuously in the second group while the third group received sham US application during 10 sessions. Three groups were also treated with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. Patients were evaluated by visual analog scale and algometer for pain severity and sensitivity level of painful point on cervical region, also neck disability index was used for assessment of functional disability. Active cervical range of motion was measured by using goniometer. Control measurements were done after physical therapy and three months later after therapy. Results Fifty-three patients completed the study. Seventeen (32.1%) of them were in intermittent US group, 19 (35.8%) of them were in continuous US group and 17 (32.1%) of them were in placebo US group. The groups were homogeneous regarding to age, gender, body mass index and baseline measurements. Pain severity was improved statistically significant in three groups after the treatment and three months later after therapy (p0.05). Continuous US was observed more effective than intermittent application in cervical rotatio