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. 2024 Feb 28;2(2):CD004871.
doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD004871.pub5.

Massage for neck pain

Anita R Gross  1   2 , Haejung Lee  3 , Jeanette Ezzo  4 , Nejin Chacko  1 , Geoffrey Gelley  5   6 , Mario Forget  7 , Annie Morien  8 , Nadine Graham  1 , Pasqualina L Santaguida  9 , Maureen Rice  10 , Craig Dixon  11
Affiliations

Massage for neck pain

Anita R Gross et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. .

Abstract

Background: Massage is widely used for neck pain, but its effectiveness remains unclear.

Objectives: To assess the benefits and harms of massage compared to placebo or sham, no treatment or exercise as an adjuvant to the same co-intervention for acute to chronic persisting neck pain in adults with or without radiculopathy, including whiplash-associated disorders and cervicogenic headache.

Search methods: We searched multiple databases (CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Index to Chiropractic Literature, trial registries) to 1 October 2023.

Selection criteria: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing any type of massage with sham or placebo, no treatment or wait-list, or massage as an adjuvant treatment, in adults with acute, subacute or chronic neck pain.

Data collection and analysis: We used the standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. We transformed outcomes to standardise the direction of the effect (a smaller score is better). We used a partially contextualised approach relative to identified thresholds to report the effect size as slight-small, moderate or large-substantive.

Main results: We included 33 studies (1994 participants analysed). Selection (82%) and detection bias (94%) were common; multiple trials had unclear allocation concealment, utilised a placebo that may not be credible and did not test whether blinding to the placebo was effective. Massage was compared with placebo (n = 10) or no treatment (n = 8), or assessed as an adjuvant to the same co-treatment (n = 15). The trials studied adults aged 18 to 70 years, 70% female, with mean pain severity of 51.8 (standard deviation (SD) 14.1) on a visual analogue scale (0 to 100). Neck pain was subacute-chronic and classified as non-specific neck pain (85%, including n = 1 whiplash), radiculopathy (6%) or cervicogenic headache (9%). Trials were conducted in outpatient settings in Asia (n = 11), America (n = 5), Africa (n = 1), Europe (n = 12) and the Middle East (n = 4). Trials received research funding (15%) from research institutes. We report the main results for the comparison of massage versus placebo. Low-certainty evidence indicates that massage probably results in little to no difference in pain, function-disability and health-related quality of life when compared against a placebo for subacute-chronic neck pain at up to 12 weeks follow-up. It may slightly improve participant-reported treatment success. Subgroup analysis by dose showed a clinically important difference favouring a high dose (≥ 8 sessions over four weeks for ≥ 30 minutes duration). There is very low-certainty evidence for total adverse events. Data on patient satisfaction and serious adverse events were not available. Pain was a mean of 20.55 points with placebo and improved by 3.43 points with massage (95% confidence interval (CI) 8.16 better to 1.29 worse) on a 0 to 100 scale, where a lower score indicates less pain (8 studies, 403 participants; I2 = 39%). We downgraded the evidence to low-certainty due to indirectness; most trials in the placebo comparison used suboptimal massage doses (only single sessions). Selection, performance and detection bias were evident as multiple trials had unclear allocation concealment, utilised a placebo that may not be credible and did not test whether blinding was effective, respectively. Function-disability was a mean of 30.90 points with placebo and improved by 9.69 points with massage (95% CI 17.57 better to 1.81 better) on the Neck Disability Index 0 to 100, where a lower score indicates better function (2 studies, 68 participants; I2 = 0%). We downgraded the evidence to low-certainty due to imprecision (the wide CI represents slight to moderate benefit that does not rule in or rule out a clinically important change) and risk of selection, performance and detection biases. Participant-reported treatment success was a mean of 3.1 points with placebo and improved by 0.80 points with massage (95% CI 1.39 better to 0.21 better) on a Global Improvement 1 to 7 scale, where a lower score indicates very much improved (1 study, 54 participants). We downgraded the evidence to low-certainty due to imprecision (single study with a wide CI that does not rule in or rule out a clinically important change) and risk of performance as well as detection bias. Health-related quality of life was a mean of 43.2 points with placebo and improved by 5.30 points with massage (95% CI 8.24 better to 2.36 better) on the SF-12 (physical) 0 to 100 scale, where 0 indicates the lowest level of health (1 study, 54 participants). We downgraded the evidence once for imprecision (a single small study) and risk of performance and detection bias. We are uncertain whether massage results in increased total adverse events, such as treatment soreness, sweating or low blood pressure (RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.08 to 11.55; 2 studies, 175 participants; I2 = 77%). We downgraded the evidence to very low-certainty due to unexplained inconsistency, risk of performance and detection bias, and imprecision (the CI was extremely wide and the total number of events was very small, i.e < 200 events).

Authors' conclusions: The contribution of massage to the management of neck pain remains uncertain given the predominance of low-certainty evidence in this field. For subacute and chronic neck pain (closest to 12 weeks follow-up), massage may result in a little or no difference in improving pain, function-disability, health-related quality of life and participant-reported treatment success when compared to a placebo. Inadequate reporting on adverse events precluded analysis. Focused planning for larger, adequately dosed, well-designed trials is needed.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The review authors have had full possession of the review process from planning to reporting without funders with potential conflict of interest having any possibility to interfere in the process. No conflicts of interest are declared by each of the authors: Anita Gross, Haejung Lee, Jeanette Ezzo, Nejin Chacko, Geoff Gelley, Mario Forget, Annie Morien, Nadine Graham, Pasqualina L Santaguida, Maureen Rice, Craig Dixon

Anita Gross declares that she was a part‐time employee of Lifemark Health up to 2018. Lifemark is an interdisciplinary healthcare service and was the Cervical Overview Group’s industry partner for one year (2010 to 2011). We acknowledge support of office supplies and telephone costs made in kind for that year.

Craig Dixon has the following acknowledgement on his form: Health and Performance Centre ‐ University of Guelph ‐ Eramosa Physiotherapy Associates.

Figures

1
1
PRISMA flow diagram of included studies
2
2
Risk of bias graph: review authors' judgements about each risk of bias domains presented as percentages across all included studies. There were no assessor‐reported outcomes identified.
3
3
Risk of bias summary: review authors' judgements about each risk of bias domains for each included study. There were no assessor‐reported outcomes identified.
4
4
Forest plot of comparison: Massage compared with placebo for subacute‐chronic neck pain suggests little or no difference in pain reduction, outcome: 1.2 Pain (0 to 100) at short‐term follow‐up. When trials with high risk of selection and detection bias were removed, there was a small important effect favouring high‐dose massage treatment.
5
5
Funnel plot of comparison: 1 Massage compared with placebo for subacute‐chronic duration, outcome: 1.2 Pain (0 to 100) at short‐term follow‐up.
6
6
Forest plot of comparison: Massage as an adjuvant to the same co‐treatment using either passive (non‐exercise) or active (exercise‐based) methods suggests evidence of little or no difference in the reduction of persisting neck pain, outcome: 2.1 Pain (0 to 100) at short‐term follow‐up.
1.1
1.1. Analysis
Comparison 1: Massage compared with placebo or sham, Outcome 1: Pain (short‐term)
1.2
1.2. Analysis
Comparison 1: Massage compared with placebo or sham, Outcome 2: Pain (dichotomous data; short‐term)
1.3
1.3. Analysis
Comparison 1: Massage compared with placebo or sham, Outcome 3: Function‐disability (short‐term)
1.4
1.4. Analysis
Comparison 1: Massage compared with placebo or sham, Outcome 4: Participant‐reported treatment success (short‐term)
1.5
1.5. Analysis
Comparison 1: Massage compared with placebo or sham, Outcome 5: Participant‐reported treatment success at short‐term (dichotomous data)
1.6
1.6. Analysis
Comparison 1: Massage compared with placebo or sham, Outcome 6: Health‐related quality of life (short‐term)
1.7
1.7. Analysis
Comparison 1: Massage compared with placebo or sham, Outcome 7: Minor adverse events (dichotomous data; short‐term)
1.8
1.8. Analysis
Comparison 1: Massage compared with placebo or sham, Outcome 8: Pain (short‐term): subgroup analysis by disorder classification
2.1
2.1. Analysis
Comparison 2: Massage compared with no treatment, Outcome 1: Pain (short‐term)
2.2
2.2. Analysis
Comparison 2: Massage compared with no treatment, Outcome 2: Pain (dichotomous data; short‐term): subgroup analysis by dosage
2.3
2.3. Analysis
Comparison 2: Massage compared with no treatment, Outcome 3: Function‐disability (short‐term)
2.4
2.4. Analysis
Comparison 2: Massage compared with no treatment, Outcome 4: Health‐related quality of life (short‐term)
3.1
3.1. Analysis
Comparison 3: Massage as adjuvant to a co‐treatment, Outcome 1: Pain (short‐term)
3.2
3.2. Analysis
Comparison 3: Massage as adjuvant to a co‐treatment, Outcome 2: Pain (long‐term)
3.3
3.3. Analysis
Comparison 3: Massage as adjuvant to a co‐treatment, Outcome 3: Pain (dichotomous data; short‐term)
3.4
3.4. Analysis
Comparison 3: Massage as adjuvant to a co‐treatment, Outcome 4: Function‐disability (short‐term)
3.5
3.5. Analysis
Comparison 3: Massage as adjuvant to a co‐treatment, Outcome 5: Function‐disability (long‐term)
3.7
3.7. Analysis
Comparison 3: Massage as adjuvant to a co‐treatment, Outcome 7: Health‐related quality of life (short‐term)
3.8
3.8. Analysis
Comparison 3: Massage as adjuvant to a co‐treatment, Outcome 8: Health‐related quality of life (long‐term)
3.9
3.9. Analysis
Comparison 3: Massage as adjuvant to a co‐treatment, Outcome 9: Pain (short‐term): subgroup analysis by dose
3.10
3.10. Analysis
Comparison 3: Massage as adjuvant to a co‐treatment, Outcome 10: Pain (short‐term): subgroup analysis by disorder classification
3.11
3.11. Analysis
Comparison 3: Massage as adjuvant to a co‐treatment, Outcome 11: Pain (short‐term): subgroup analysis by symptom duration
3.12
3.12. Analysis
Comparison 3: Massage as adjuvant to a co‐treatment, Outcome 12: Function‐disability (short‐term): subgroup analysis by dose
3.13
3.13. Analysis
Comparison 3: Massage as adjuvant to a co‐treatment, Outcome 13: Function‐disability (short‐term): subgroup analysis by disorder classification
3.14
3.14. Analysis
Comparison 3: Massage as adjuvant to a co‐treatment, Outcome 14: Function‐disability (short‐term): subgroup analysis by disorder duration
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Update of

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Celenay 2021 {published data only}
    1. Celenay ST, Mete O, Sari A, Kaya DO. A comparison of kinesio taping and classical massage in addition to cervical stabilization exercise in patients with chronic neck pain. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice 2021;43(2021):101381. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101381] - DOI - PubMed
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    1. Cheng Z, Chen Z, Xie F, Guan C, Gu Y, Wang R, You Y, Yao F. Efficacy of Yijinjing combined with Tuina for patients with non-specific chronic neck pain: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials 2021;22(1):586. - PMC - PubMed
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Costello 2016 {published data only}
    1. Costello M, Puentedura ELJ, Cleland J, Ciccone CD. The immediate effects of soft tissue mobilization versus therapeutic ultrasound for patients with neck and arm pain with evidence of neural mechano sensitivity - a randomized clinical trial. Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy 2016;24(3):128-40. - PMC - PubMed
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    1. De Meulemeester KE, Castelein B, Coppieters I, Barbe T, Cools A, Cagnie B. Comparing trigger point dry needling and manual pressure technique for the management of myofascial neck/shoulder pain - a randomized clinical trial. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 2017;40(1):11-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2016.10.008] - DOI - PubMed
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Ding 2012 {published data only}
    1. Ding Q, Yam Mingru, Yang L, Guo J, Wang J, Shi Z, Wang Y, Zheo H. Clinical effects of innovative tuina manipulations on treating cervical spondylosis of vertebral artery type and changes in cerebral blood flow. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2012;32(3):388-92. - PubMed
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Elserty 2020 {published data only}
    1. Elserty N, Shokri Morsi Galal DO. Influence of instrument assisted soft tissue techniques versus active soft tissue therapies on latent trigger point of upper trapezius muscle: randomized clinical study. Physiotherapy Research International 2020;25:e1859. - PubMed
Espi‐Lopez 2016 {published data only}
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    1. Fernandez-de-las-Penas C, Alonso-Blanco C, Fernandez-Carnero J, Miangolarra-Page JC. The immediate effect of ischemic compression technique and transverse friction massage on tenderness of active and latent myofascial trigger points: a pilot study. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 2006;10:3-9.
Fernandez‐delasPenas 2004a {published and unpublished data}
    1. Fernandez-de-las-Penas C, Fernandez-Carnero J, Plaza Fernandez A, Lomas-Vega R, Miangolarra-Page JC. Dorsal manipulation in whiplash injury treatment - a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Whiplash and Related Disorders 2004;3(2):55-72.
Fernandez‐delasPenas 2004b {published data only}
    1. Fernandez-de-las-Penas C, Fernandez-Carnero J, Palomeque del Cerro L, Miangolarra-Page JC. Manipulative treatment vs. conventional physiotherapy treatment in whiplash injury: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Whiplash & Related Disorders 2004;2:73-90.
Fernandez‐Perez 2012 {published data only}
    1. Fernandez-Perez AM, Villaverde-Gutierrez C, Mora-Sanchez A, Alonso-Blancho C, Sterling M, Fernandez-De-Las-Penas C. Muscle trigger points, pressure pain threshold and cervical range of motion in patients with high level of disability related to acute whiplash injury. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy 2012;42(7):634-41. - PubMed
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Ghodrati 2020 {published data only}
    1. Ghodrati M, Mosallanezhad Z, Shati M, Noroozi M, Moghadam AN, Rostami M, et al. Adding temporomandibular joint treatments to routine physiotherapy for patients with non-specific chronic neck pain - a randomized clinical study. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 2020;24(2):202-12. - PubMed
Gillani 2020 {published data only}
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Hadamus 2021 {published data only}
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Haleema 2021 {published data only}
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    1. Hanten WP, Barret M, Gillespie-Plesko M. Effects of active head retraction with retraction/extension and occipital release on pressure pain threshold of cervical and scapular trigger points. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice 1997;13:285-91. [CO2002]
Hanten 2000 {published data only}
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Hoving 2002 {published data only}
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Iaroshevskyi 2019 {published data only}
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Iqbal 2020 {published data only}
    1. Iqbal PR, Siddharth S. Comparison of two different techniques of mobilization in mechanical neck pain with decrease temporomandibular joint mobility. International journal of Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences 2020;11(4):7618-23.
Jahanshahi 1991 {published data only}
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    1. Jamal AN, Feldman BM, Pullenayegum E. The use of neck support pillows and postural exercises in the management of chronic neck pain. Journal of Rheumatology 2016;43(10):1871-3. [DOI: 10.3899/jrheum.151368] - DOI - PubMed
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Junaid 2020 {published data only}
    1. Junaid M, Yaqoob I, Shakil Ur Rehman S, Ghous M. Effects of post-isometric relaxation, myofascial trigger point release and routine physical therapy in management of acute mechanical neck pain: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association 2020;70(10):1688-92. - PubMed
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Khan 2022 {published and unpublished data}
    1. Khan ZK, Ahmed SI, Baig AAM, Farooqui WA. Effect of post-isometric relaxation versus myofascial release therapy on pain, functional disability, rom and qol in the management of non-specific neck pain: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2022;23(1):567. [DOI: 10.1186/s12891-022-05516-1] - DOI - PMC - PubMed
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    1. Kim SJ, Lee JH. Effects of sternocleidomastoid muscle and suboccipital muscle soft tissue release on muscle hardness and pressure pain of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and upper trapezius muscle in smartphone users with latent trigger points. Medicine (Baltimore) 2018;97(36):e12133. - PMC - PubMed
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Kojidi 2016 {published data only}
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Kojidi 2016a {published data only}
    1. Kojidi MM, Okhovatian F, Rahimi A, Baghban AA, Azimi H. The influence of positional release therapy on the myofascial trigger points of the upper trapezius muscle in computer users. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 2016;20(4):767-73. - PubMed
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Lalruatliana 2021 {published data only}
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Lauche 2011 {published data only}
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Manzoor 2021 {published data only}
    1. Manzoor A, Anwar N, Khalid K, Haider R, Saghir M, Javed MA. Comparison of effectiveness of muscle energy technique with Mulligan mobilization in patients with non-specific neck pain. Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association 2021;71(6):1532-4. [DOI: 10.47391/JPMA.981] - DOI - PubMed
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Mohamadi 2017 {published data only}
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Nasb 2020 {published data only}
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Patil 2020 {published data only}
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Pérez‐Cabezas 2020 {published data only}
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Rodriguez‐Fuentes 2016 {published data only}
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Rodriguez‐Huguet 2018 {published data only}
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Rodríguez‐Huguet 2020 {published data only}
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Rodríguez‐Huguet 2020a {published data only}
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Sadria 2017 {published data only}
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References to studies awaiting assessment

Buttagat 2021 {published data only}
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Monteiro de Sobral 2010 {published data only}
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NCT03585283 {published data only}
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References to ongoing studies

González Rueda 2017 {unpublished data only}
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