Effect of Interferential Therapy versus Shortwave Diathermy on Pain and Function in Mechanical Neck Pain - A Comparative Study

Background: Mechanical neck pain is defined as generalized neck pain provoked by sustained neck postures, neck movement and pain on palpation of cervical musculature without pathologies. Mechanical neck pain is experienced by 30 % to 50 % of the general population. 11 % to 14 % of working population experience activity limitation due to neck pain. The causative factors may include everyday activities. Such as bending over a desk for hours, having poor posture while watching TV or reading, placing your computer monitor too high or too low, sleeping in an uncomfortable position, or twisting and turning the neck in a jarring manner while exercising. Physical therapy interventions used in mechanical neck pain include exercise therapy and electrotherapeutic modalities. Shortwave diathermy is a high frequency modality working on mechanism of pain relief by producing heating effects in the deeper tissues resulting in vasodilatation. Interferential therapy on the other hand, works on the principle of interference of two medium frequency currents in the deeper tissues, to produce the effect of low frequency current which primarily works by acting on the Pain gate mechanism. The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of a medium frequency current and a high frequency current in relieving pain and improving function in patients with mechanical neck pain. Methodology: Ethical clearance was obtained from institutional ethical committee prior to study 34 patients referred from the Orthopedic OPD were screened. From that 30 patients who fulfilled inclusion & exclusion criteria were included in the study after taking written informed consent. Patients were divided into 2 groups by Convenient Sequential sampling. There were 6 drop out from the study. Total 24 Patients were divided into 2 groups. Each group contained 12 patients. Group- A [SWD + conventional therapeutic exercise group] Group- B [IFT + conventional therapeutic exercise group] The procedure was explained to the patient and they were assessed as per the proforma and there was no any adverse event occurred during the study duration. Data was collected between the duration of 3 months from August-2016 to October-2016 Results: The results of the study shows statistically significant difference between Shortwave Diathermy and Interferential Therapy, in terms of pain relief and improvement in function of mechanical neck pain patients, thus supporting to use of both the modalities in the management of mechanical neck pain, But as an adjunct to therapeutic exercises for the greater benefit of the patient, Interferential Therapy use More recommendable. Conclusion: From the present study, it can be concluded that either of Shortwave Diathermy or Interferential Therapy can be used as an adjunct to therapeutic exercise to improve pain and function in patients with Mechanical Neck pain. But for greater improvement in pain and function, Use of Interferential Therapy can be considered more effective