Randomized controlled trial of physiotherapy and Feldenkrais interventionsin female workers with neck-shoulder complaints

The present study aimed to investigate whether physiotherapy or Feldenkrais interventions resulted in a reduction of complaints from the neck and shou lders (prevalence, pain intensity, sick leave, and disability in leisure an d work roles) in 97 female industrial workers (not on long-term sick leave) . Range of motion of neck and shoulders, VO2, endurance score (i.e., summat ion of pain intensity ratings during a static shoulder flexion) cortical co ntrol according to the Feldenkrais methodology, and physiological capacity according to a dynamic endurance test of the shoulder flexors with simultan eous surface EMG were also recorded. The workers were randomized to: (1) ph ysiotherapy group (PT-group; treatment according to the ergonomic program o f the PTs of the occupational health care service), (2) Feldenkrais group ( F-group; education according to the Feldenkrais methodology), or (3) contro l group (C-group; no intervention). Pre- and post-tests were made at one-ye ar intervals. The Two interventions lasted 16 weeks during paid working tim e. The F-group showed significant decreases in complaints from neck and sho ulders and in disability during leisure time. The two other groups showed n o change (PT-group) or worsening of complaints (C-group). The present study showed significant positive changes in complaints after the Feldenkrais in tervention but not after the physiotherapy intervention. Possible mechanism s behind the effects in the F-group are discussed.