Daytime sleepiness, functionality, and stress levels in chronic neck pain and effects of physical medicine and rehabilitation therapies on these situations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between symptom severity, daytime sleepiness, and perceived stress levels andthe impact of physical medicine & rehabilitation (PMR) therapies on these situations in chronic neck pain (CNP) conditions.METHODS: The study included 54 patients with CNP and 20 healthy control individuals. Patients with CNP were divided intotwo groups: the PMR therapy group (n=34) and the CNP control group (n=20). The PMR therapy programs of the patientsincluded TENS, hot packs, therapeutic ultrasound, and exercises. Visual analog scale (VAS) at activity and resting for neckpain, Neck Disability Index (NDI), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Epworth Sleepiness Scale, chin-manubrium distances (CMD),and tragus-wall distances (TWD) values were evaluated before and after the treatment programs.RESULTS: Significant differences were found between the CNP patients and healthy controls regarding PSS, TWD, and CMDvalues. Furthermore, significant differences were detected between the PMR group and the CNP control group in the finalevaluation of the VASresting, VASactivity, PSS, and NDI levels.CONCLUSION: Evaluation of CNP from a single point of view can leave clinically missing points. Patients with CNP shouldbe assessed for daytime sleepiness, stress levels, and functionality, and PMR therapies can be effective in relieving pain andpsychological stress in patients with CNP.