DOES ELECTROMYOGRAPHY BIOFEEDBACK TRAINING REDUCE WORK-RELATED NECK PAIN?

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the use of Electromyography (EMG) biofeedback training in dental professionals to reduce upper trapezius muscle tension and thereby to reduce the work related neck pain. By reducing muscle activity in the neck and shoulder postural stabilizing muscles, EMG biofeedback training would be an effective mode of treatment in dental professionals for the management of work related neck pain. Subjects and Methods: This RCT included a total of 50 dental professionals (29 males and 21 females) aged between 27-44 years (mean age of 36.4).They were randomly allocated equally into either experimental group who received EMG Biofeedback or the control group who received the conventional physiotherapy management. Patients in the control group were given Hot Packs, IFT and neck care advice. In addition to conventional Physiotherapy treatments, patients in the experimental group received an EMG Biofeedback training program for the bilateral trapezius. The treatments were given for 30-45 minutes/ day / 5 days in a week for 2 weeks. The outcome tools used were; Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Neck Disability Scale (NDI) and both were measured before starting the treatment and at end of 2 weeks. Results & Conclusion: Adding EMG biofeedback training for the trapezius muscles along with conventional physiotherapy management is found to be an effective method of treatment in the management of chronic non specific neck pain patients.