COMPLEMENTARY EFFECT OF YOGIC RELAXATION TECHNIQUE ON PAIN, DISABILITY AND ANXIETY IN PATIENTS WITH COMMON NECK PAIN

Abstract

Background: Studies have shown that conventional treatment methods with drugs, physiotherapy and exercises for common neck pain (CNP) may not always give the best result. Yoga techniques have been found to be effective complementary therapy in bringing optimal benefits.

Objective: The aim of the study was to examine the complementary role of a Yogic relaxation called mind sound resonance technique (MSRT) in non-surgical management of CNP.

Methods: This was a single blind randomized control design. In this randomized controlled study, 60 patients with CNP were assigned to two groups (Yoga, n = 30) and (control, n = 30). The Yoga group received Yogic relaxation called MSRT that doesn’t involve any movement or stretching for 20 minutes in supine position throughout the practice after the conventional physiotherapy program for 30 minutes using pre-recorded audio CD and the control group had non-guided supine rest for 20 minutes (after physiotherapy), for 10 days. MSRT provides deep relaxation for both mind and body by introspective experience of the sound resonance in the whole body while repeating the syllables A, U, M and Om and a long chant (Mahamrityunjaya mantra) several times in a meaningful sequence. Both the groups had pre and post assessments using visual pain analog scale, neck disability score (NDS) questionnaire and state trait anxiety inventory-Y1 (STAI-Y1).

Results: Mann-Whitney U test showed significant difference between groups in pain (P< 0.01), NDS (P< 0.01) and state anxiety (STAI-Y1) with higher reduction in Yoga (P< 0.01) than that in the control group. Wilcoxon’s test showed a significant improvement in both groups on all variables (P< 0.01).

Conclusions: Yoga relaxation through MSRT adds significant complementary benefits to conventional physiotherapy for CNP by reducing pain, disability and state anxiety.