Evaluation of cervical pain interventions: Systematic review and meta-analysis of physical therapy, exercise, and medications
Full Text (PDF)
Abdulsalam Mohammed Aleid 1 , Nouf Abdullah Alyabis 2 * , Saud Nayef Aldanyowi 1 , Mutlaq Naheitan Alsubaie 3 , Lama Ibrahim AlOraini 4 , Abdulrahman Rashed Almoslem 1 , Loai Saleh Albinsaad 1 , Hasan Ali AlAidarous 5 , Zainab Mohammed Aleid 6 , Abbas Al Mutair 7
More Detail
1 Department of Surgery, Medical College, King Faisal University, Hofuf, SAUDI ARABIA2 Department of Surgery and Medicine, College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA3 National Guard Hospital, Al Ahsa, SAUDI ARABIA4 King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Buraidah, SAUDI ARABIA5 Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Albaha University, Al Baha City, SAUDI ARABIA6 Department of Orthopedics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA7 Department of Research, Research Center, Almoosa Specialist Hospital, Almoosa College of Health Sciences, Al Ahsa, SAUDI ARABIA* Corresponding Author

Abstract

Introduction: Cervical discomfort, or neck pain, is a significant global health issue and a leading cause of disability. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluate the effectiveness of non-surgical interventions, including physiotherapy, exercise, manual therapy, and muscle energy techniques, in reducing pain and improving function.
Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Scopus up to September 2024 identified 17 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 3,286 participants. Studies comparing these interventions to placebo or other treatments were included. Exclusions applied to cases involving cancer, infections, fractures, radiculopathy, prior cervical surgery, or high-risk bias studies.
Results: All interventions significantly reduced pain and improved function. Manual therapy was superior to physical therapy for pain relief (SMD -0.30), while exercise outperformed usual care for pain (SMD -0.68) and function (SMD -0.49). NSAIDs showed moderate pain relief (SMD -0.31).
Conclusion: Non-surgical interventions effectively treat cervical pain, but further research is necessary to optimize strategies.

Keywords

License

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Article Type: Review Article

ELECTRON J GEN MED, Volume 23, Issue 1, February 2026, Article No: em715

https://doi.org/10.29333/ejgm/17916

Publication date: 15 Feb 2026

Article Views: 41

Article Downloads: 37

Open Access References How to cite this article