Preliminary evidence for feasibility, efficacy, and mechanisms of Alexander technique group classes for chronic neck pain

Becker, Jordan J.; Copeland, Shawn L.; Botterbusch, Emily L.; Cohen, Rajal G.

doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2018.05.012

Cited by 12 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…However, none of the posture angles were significantly correlated with neck pain or change in pain. This absence of relationship is consistent with our previous work [25], and with a growing body of literature suggesting that the alignment aspect of posture may not be the most important determinant of pain [37].…”

Section: Summary Of Resultssupporting

confidence: 92%

“…In the present study, both interventions led to an increased frequency of surface neck muscle firing during the CCFT, consistent with a decrease in fatigue and with our previous findings [25]. Our previous study using the same Alexander class format found a correlation between increasing median frequency of SCM activity and decreasing pain.…”

Section: Relation To Prior Worksupporting

confidence: 93%

“…The retention rate for our group Alexander class was also comparable to that seen in one-to-one lessons, with a few people dropping out at the beginning and a very high attendance rate for the remaining students [25]. We also found ratings of class enjoyment similar to those seen in other populations [40,41].…”

Section: Relation To Prior Worksupporting

confidence: 74%

“…The pressure sensor responded to the slight retraction of the neck normally caused by contraction of the deep cervical flexors [32]. The sensor was inflated to 20 mmHg at baseline, and participants practiced obtaining the 5 required pressure levels in 2 mmHg increments (22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30). The CCFT consists of all 5 levels in ascending sequence, with participants instructed to hold each level for 10 s while muscle activity is recorded.…”

Section: Self-report Measuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although group Alexander classes are more affordable than private lessons, very few studies have examined their effectiveness [24]. A preliminary, uncontrolled study in our lab showed that group Alexander classes are a feasible and promising self-management approach for reducing neck pain [25]. The present study built on those data by assigning participants with neck pain to Alexander classes or exercise classes, to compare the effects of each intervention on neck pain, pain self-efficacy, posture, and neck muscle activity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

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Alexander Technique vs. Targeted Exercise for Neck Pain—A Preliminary Comparison

et al. 2021

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Background: Alexander technique private lessons have been shown to reduce chronic neck pain and are thought to work by different mechanisms than exercise. Group classes may also be effective and would be cost-effective. Design: A two-group pre-test/post-test design. Participants were assigned to either a general Alexander technique class or an exercise class designed to target neck pain. Both groups met over 5 weeks for two 60 min sessions/week. Participants: A total of 16 participants with chronic neck pain (aged 50+/−16 years) completed this study. Interventions: The Alexander class used awareness-building methods to teach participants to reduce habitual tension during everyday activities. The exercise class was based on physical therapy standard of care to strengthen neck and back muscles thought to be important for posture. Measures: We assessed neck pain/disability, pain self-efficacy, activation of the sternocleidomastoid muscles during the cranio-cervical flexion test, and posture while participants played a video game. Results: Both groups reported decreased neck pain/disability after the interventions. Sternocleidomastoid activation decreased only in the Alexander group. Conclusion: In this small preliminary study, Alexander classes were at least as effective as exercise classes in reducing neck pain and seemed to work via a different mechanism. Larger, multi-site studies are justified.

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Section: Summary Of Resultssupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Relation To Prior Worksupporting

confidence: 93%

Section: Relation To Prior Worksupporting

confidence: 74%

Section: Self-report Measuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

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Alexander Technique vs. Targeted Exercise for Neck Pain—A Preliminary Comparison

et al. 2021

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Hairy‐Skin‐Adaptive Viscoelastic Dry Electrodes for Long‐Term Electrophysiological Monitoring

et al. 2023

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Long-term epidermal electrophysiological (EP) monitoring is crucial for disease diagnosis and human-machine synergy. The human skin is covered with hair that grows at an average rate of 0.3 mm per day. This impedes a stable contact between the skin and dry epidermal electrodes, resulting in motion artifacts during ultralong-term EP monitoring. Therefore, accurate and high-quality EP signal detection remains challenging. To address this issue, a new solution-the hairy-skin-adaptive viscoelastic dry electrode (VDE) is reported. This innovative technology is capable of bypassing hair and filling into the skin wrinkles, leading to long-lasting and stable interface impedance. The VDE maintains a stable interface impedance for a remarkable period of 48 days and 100 cycles. The VDE is highly effective in shielding against hair disturbances in electrocardiography (ECG) monitoring, even during intense chest expansion, and in electromyography (EMG) monitoring during large strain. Furthermore, the VDE is easily attachable to the skull without requiring any electroencephalogram (EEG) cap or bandage, making it an ideal solution for EEG monitoring. This work represents a substantial breakthrough in the field of EP monitoring, providing a solution for the previously challenging issue of monitoring human EP signals on hairy skin.

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Posture biofeedback increases cognitive load

Baer

Vasavada

Cohen

2022

Psychological Research

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Preliminary evidence for feasibility, efficacy, and mechanisms of Alexander technique group classes for chronic neck pain

Cited by 12 publications

References 49 publications

Alexander Technique vs. Targeted Exercise for Neck Pain—A Preliminary Comparison

Alexander Technique vs. Targeted Exercise for Neck Pain—A Preliminary Comparison

Hairy‐Skin‐Adaptive Viscoelastic Dry Electrodes for Long‐Term Electrophysiological Monitoring

Posture biofeedback increases cognitive load

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