Examining the impact and feasibility of a self-efficacy based walking intervention for persons with chronic non-specific neck pain
Date
2017
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to test the impact and feasibility of a motivational self-efficacy based walking intervention for people with chronic neck pain. The primary goals were focused on exercise adherence, self-efficacy beliefs for exercise, pain, function, range of motion, and quality of life. The secondary goal focused on the oxygenation of trapezius muscles in people with chronic neck pain. ☐ Background: The global prevalence of neck pain is estimated to be 4.9%. Neck pain can negatively impact quality of life and functional ability. This motivational intervention was designed based on Bandura’s Theory of Self-Efficacy. ☐ Methods: A single group, pretest, two post-test repeated measures design was used. Twenty-five participants mean age 54.08 (range 40-79 y.o.) were asked to walk at a brisk pace for 150 minutes per week. The intervention was delivered at baseline to week 4. Data was collected at baseline, 4-weeks and 8-weeks. ☐ Results: Twenty-four out of twenty-five (96%) of the participants were at least 80% adherent to the exercise protocol. There was improvement in current pain (p = 0.003), worst pain in the past 24 hours (p <.001) and neck disability (p <.001). Quality of life was improved in 4 of the 8 subscales: physical functioning (p = .014), role limitations due to physical functioning (p = .023), energy/fatigue (p = .016) and pain (p <.001). Range of motion was improved in 4 of the 6 neck measurements. Resting oxyhemoglobin levels did not change over time, however, oxyhemoglobin levels increased when exercising the trapezius muscles for one (p = .007) and two minutes (p = .031) after 8 weeks of the walking intervention. ☐ Conclusions and Implications: This feasibility study supports a motivationally based walking intervention for persons with chronic neck pain to improve pain, disability, quality of life, range of motion and neck muscle oxygenation. The significant findings in this study supports the need for a randomized controlled trial to adequately test the impact of this motivational walking intervention. This low cost intervention can be used by advanced practice nurses to improve exercise adherence and positively impact people with chronic neck pain.
Description
Keywords
Health and environmental sciences, Aerobic exercise, Chronic neck pain, Exercise adherence, Neck muscle oxygenation