Effectiveness of a multimodal physiotherapy program in fighter pilots with flight-related neck pain: A randomized controlled trial.

This was a pilot trial with 31 pilots analysed, below the stated target of 34, so the findings are preliminary. Recruitment came from one air base using convenience sampling, and the authors state that results cannot be extrapolated to other military groups. Only immediate outcomes 48 hours after the last session were measured, so durability and long-term effects are unknown. The intervention combined laser-guided exercise and interferential current electro-massage, so the contribution of either component alone cannot be determined. The study did not include a control group receiving only interferential current, so it cannot determine the isolated effect of that component. Three participants dropped out of the intervention group because of work-related demands. Only the assessor and statistic researcher were blinded. Some secondary changes were small relative to reported thresholds: neck disability changed by 5 points on a 0 to 50 scale, below the reported minimal detectable change of 9.8 points, and pressure pain threshold changes were below the reported minimal important difference of 1.5 kg/cm².

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Do not read this as proof that either laser-guided exercise or interferential current electro-massage works alone. The program combined both, and the study did not separate their effects. Do not assume the benefit lasts, because outcomes were measured only 48 hours after the last session.