Synergistic Effect of Physical Therapy Plus Pharmacological Therapy with Eperisone in Tension-Type Cervicalgia

Abstract

Background. This study assessed the effect of eperisone + physical therapy compared with physical therapy alone on the alleviation of pain and disability experienced by patients with tension-type cervicalgia. Methods. Patients with tension-type cervicalgia were randomized to eperisone + physical therapy (Group A) or physical therapy alone (Group B). Patients were assessed at baseline (T 0 ), after 4-weeks' treatment (T 1 ), and at 2 months' follow-up (T 2 ). Outcome measures included the Numerical Rating Scale, the Italian version of the Neck Pain and Disability Scale, the Short Form-McGill Pain Questionnaire, and the Italian version of the Neck Disability Index. Results. Ninety-eight patients (50 patients in Group A and 48 patients in Group B) completed the study. Pain and disability scores for all outcome measures were significantly lower at both T 1 and T 2 for patients in Group A compared with Group B (all p<0.001). A small, improvement between T 1 and T 2 was observed in Group A patients but not in Group B patients, and significantly more Group B than Group A patients were worse at 2 months' follow-up (all p<0.001). Conclusions. Eperisone in synergy with physical therapy can be a valuable tool in the therapeutic management of patients suffering from tension-type cervicalgia.

Neck Pain in Fibromyalgia: Treatment with Exercise and Mesotherapy

“…Current treatment of fibromyalgia is based on a multidisciplinary and gradual approach: lifestyle and behavior changes, pharmacological treatments (e.g., antidepressants, muscle relaxants, and anticonvulsants), and non-pharmacological treatments [ 19 ]. The latter includes various interventions such as aerobic exercises, flexibility exercises, strength training, stretching and body-awareness therapies (e.g., Feldenkrais therapy), and psychotherapy [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ]. All of these treatments are essentially aimed at symptom management and quality of life improvement [ 24 ].…”