Abstract: Objective To observe the effect of needle-embedding therapy (press needle) combined with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on pain and motor function in patients with nonspecific neck pain. Methods From July, 2016 to September, 2017, 80 patients with nonspecific neck pain were randomly divided into control group and treatment group, with 40 cases in each group. The treatment group was treated with press needle combined with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, while the control group was treated with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation only, seven times per week for two weeks. They were assessed with Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), neck range of motion and neck muscle average electromyography (EMG) before treatment, at the end of treatment, and one-month and six-month followup. Results All 80 patients completed the treatment and follow-up. After treatment, the scores of VAS and NDI decreased in both groups (t >1.731, P < 0.05), and were lower in the treatment group than in the control group (t > 0.236, P < 0.05); the neck range of motion increased in both groups (P < 0.05), and no difference was found between two groups (P > 0.05); the average EMG value of the neck muscles decreased in both groups (P < 0.05), and were less in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion The press needle combined with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation was more effective on nonspecific neck pain than transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation only, and no adverse reaction was observed during the treatment.

Key words: nonspecific neck pain, intradermal needle, acupuncture, transcutaneous electricalal nerve stimulation, pain, motor function