A pain in the neck? New Adelaide University trial offers hope

Whether you hunch over a computer or spend hours scrolling on your phone, everyday habits can be a real pain in the neck. But when that pain persists, it can take a serious toll on everyday life, affecting everything from work and sleep to physical activity and wellbeing.

A new national trial led by Adelaide University is investigating better ways to manage chronic neck pain and is now seeking adults with the condition* to participate.

The ReconNECKt Trial will compare two different treatment approaches to determine which is more effective in improving chronic neck pain, with participants followed for 12 months to assess whether the benefits are sustained over time.

Participants will receive 12 weeks of free treatment from an allied health clinician via telehealth, including personalised advice, education and exercises they can complete at home.

Adelaide University researcher Dr Felicity Braithwaite said chronic neck pain is a common and often debilitating condition that could significantly affect people’s quality of life.

“Neck pain might seem like a minor inconvenience, but for people living with persistent pain, it can affect almost every aspect of their daily life, from working and sleeping to exercising and doing the things they enjoy,” Dr Braithwaite said.

“What’s often frustrating is that neck pain can develop without any obvious injury or cause, and for many people, it doesn’t simply go away.

“Despite how common chronic neck pain is, we still don’t have all the answers about which treatments work best.

“Through this trial, we’re hoping to better understand how exercise and education can help people manage their pain and get back to doing the things they love.”

World Health Organization data shows that approximately 1.71 billion people globally live with musculoskeletal conditions, with 222 million people living with chronic neck pain.

Adelaide University Professor Tasha Stanton said while exercise and education were recommended treatments for chronic neck pain, important questions remained about how best to deliver them.

“We know exercise can help people manage neck pain, but we’re still learning which types of exercise work best, how much people need and how to combine exercise with education to achieve the greatest benefits,” Prof Stanton said.

“Neck pain is complex, with many different factors contributing to a person’s experience of pain. What works for one person might not work for another, which is why there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.

“By comparing two active treatments, we hope to build stronger evidence to help clinicians and patients make more informed decisions about managing chronic neck pain.”

One of the major advantages of the trial is that is allows people to access treatment from wherever they live, without having to travel to a clinic.

“For people in regional and remote communities, or those who find it difficult to attend appointments in person, telehealth could make a real difference in accessing the care they need,” Dr Braithwaite said.

“We hope the findings will not only help us identify more effective treatments for chronic neck pain, but also improve access to quality care for Australians, regardless of where they live.”

To be eligible for the study, participants must be aged 18 or over, have experienced neck pain for at least three months and have pain that was not caused by an accident or significant injury.

To register your interest in the trial, please email Felicity Braithwaite, Trial Coordinator. Email: neckpaintrial@gmail.com​

*For more details, and eligibility criteria, please visit: ​Telehealth education and exercise for neck pain | Adelaide University

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Media contacts

Dr Felicity Braithwaite, School of Allied Health and Human Performance, Adelaide University.
E: felicity.braithwaite@adelaide.edu.au

Prof Tasha Stanton, School of Allied Health and Human Performance, Adelaide University
E: tasha.stanton@adelaide.edu.au

Annabel Mansfield, Senior Media Adviser Adelaide University. M: +61 479 182 489
E: Annabel.Mansfield@Adelaide.edu.au