Cognitive functional therapy for persistent neck pain

Key Points

1. Cognitive functional therapy was effective for reducing pain, disability, fear-avoidance behavior, and emotional distress for patients with mild to moderate neck pain.

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BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Neck pain is defined as pain and often muscle tension from the occiput through the cervical spine to the first thoracic vertebra. Neck pain is one of the top reasons people seek medical care (1). The causes include muscle spasm, connective tissue restrictions, neural involvement, bony changes, and are affected by anxiety, depression, and emotional distress (2). A comprehensive approach to pain and musculoskeletal involvement has included psychological approaches for some years now and is recommended in clinical practice guidelines (3).

Cognitive Functional Therapy (CFT) is an intervention first described in 2005 and the main approach studied in this paper. It is a method of integrating psychological approaches into physical therapy. There are four main elements: a cognitive component, specific movement exercise, targeted integration of functional activities, and a physical activity program. The aim of CFT is to teach patients that it is safe to move regardless of pain.

The authors of this prospective cohort study aimed to describe the use of CFT for patients with neck pain and report changes in pain, disability, fear avoidance beliefs, emotional distress and the acceptability and satisfaction with the program.

Neck pain is one of the top reasons people seek medical care.

Cognitive Functional Therapy training teaches a solid set of skills, adaptable to many diagnoses and disabilities.

METHODS

• A prospective cohort study recruited from patients at an outpatient clinic in Oslo from October 2021 to February 2023.

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