Daytime sleepiness, functionality, and stress levels in chronic neck pain and effects of physical medicine and rehabilitation therapies on these situations

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between symptom severity, daytime sleepiness, and perceived stress levels and the impact of physical medicine & rehabilitation (PMR) therapies on these situations in chronic neck pain (CNP) conditions.

Methods: The study included 54 patients with CNP and 20 healthy control individuals. Patients with CNP were divided into two groups: the PMR therapy group (n=34) and the CNP control group (n=20). The PMR therapy programs of the patients included TENS, hot packs, therapeutic ultrasound, and exercises. Visual analog scale (VAS) at activity and resting for neck pain, Neck Disability Index (NDI), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Epworth Sleepiness Scale, chin-manubrium distances (CMD), and tragus-wall distances (TWD) values were evaluated before and after the treatment programs.

Results: Significant differences were found between the CNP patients and healthy controls regarding PSS, TWD, and CMD values. Furthermore, significant differences were detected between the PMR group and the CNP control group in the final evaluation of the VAS_resting, VAS_activity, PSS, and NDI levels.

Conclusion: Evaluation of CNP from a single point of view can leave clinically missing points. Patients with CNP should be assessed for daytime sleepiness, stress levels, and functionality, and PMR therapies can be effective in relieving pain and psychological stress in patients with CNP.