The Effect of TENS by Physiotherapist versus Home based TENS Intervention to reduce Pain and Improve Disability in Patients with Mechanical Neck Disorder

치료사에 의해 적용된 경피신경전기자극과 가정에서 시행된 경피신경전기자극이 경부통 환자의 통증과 장애에 미치는 영향

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of TENS by physiotherapist versus home based TENS intervention to reduce pain and improve disability in patients with mechanical neck disorder. Methods: The subjects of the study were 30 selected patients who had been diagnosed with subacute or chronic neck disorders without neurological damage, during the period of four weeks, three times a week, and thirty minutes for one session, 15 patients received TENS by physiotherapist. 15 patients received home based TENS intervention. The primary outcome was pain intensity measured in using the Visual Analog Scale(VAS). The second outcome was Neck Disability Index to patient's disability. Results: The change in the pain perception degree were statistically significant in both group(p<0.05). TENS by physiotherapist group showed significantly improvement in disability, but, Home based TENS intervention group is not. TENS by physiotherapist group showed significantly greater improvement in pain intensity and patient's disability than the home based TENS intervention group. Conclusion: This study shows that received TENS by physiotherapist was effective in reducing pain, improving disability for mechanical neck disorder patient, physiotherapist' knowledge need to improve patient's pain and disability.