Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation therapy versus manual therapy in patients with neck pain: a randomised controlled trial.

Only women aged 45 to 65 were included, so the findings may not apply to men, to patients under 45, or to those over 65 with more severe degenerative changes. 13 of 93 randomized patients dropped out and were not evaluated at the time of withdrawal, and no intention-to-treat analysis was performed. Therapists were not blinded to which treatment they were delivering, and each believed their own method was effective for neck pain. Range of motion was measured with a Gulick tape rather than an inclinometer, which the authors note is a more precise tool. The number of exercise repetitions was adjusted to each patient's needs, which may have affected the results. Treatment was delivered daily for 2 weeks in a high-volume rehabilitation centre; it is unclear whether the same effect would be seen with a different session frequency or in a smaller clinic.

The authors declared no conflicts of interest and no financial support for the research, authorship, or publication.

Do not read this as PNF being superior to manual therapy for all neck pain. The study enrolled only women aged 45 to 65 with X-ray-confirmed osteoarthritis and pain lasting more than 13 weeks, 13 of 93 randomized patients dropped out without an intention-to-treat analysis, and therapists were not blinded to which treatment they were delivering.