The Effects of Exercise Dosage on Neck-Related Pain and Disability: A Systematic Review With Meta-analysis

Objective: To (1) evaluate whether exercise therapy is effective for managing neck pain, and (2) investigate the relationship between exercise therapy dosage and treatment effect.

Design: Intervention systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regression.

Literature Search: An electronic search of 6 databases was completed for trials assessing the effects of exercise therapy on neck pain.

Study Selection Criteria: We included randomized controlled trials that compared exercise therapy to a no-exercise therapy control for treating neck pain. Two reviewers screened and selected studies, extracted outcomes, assessed article risk of bias, and rated the quality of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.

Data Synthesis: Data were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis. We used meta-regression to analyze the effect of exercise dosage on neck pain and disability.

Results: Fourteen trials were included in the review. Seven trials were at high risk of bias, 4 were at unclear risk of bias, and 3 were at low risk of bias. Exercise therapy was superior to control for reducing pain (visual analog scale mean difference, -15.32 mm) and improving disability (Neck Disability Index mean difference, -3.64 points). Exercise dosage parameters did not predict pain or disability outcomes.

Conclusion: Exercise was beneficial for reducing pain and disability, regardless of exercise therapy dosage. Therefore, optimal exercise dosage recommendations remain unknown. We encourage clinicians to use exercise when managing mechanical neck pain. .