EFFICACY OF MIND SOUND RESONANCE TECHNIQUE IN COMMON NECK PAIN

Studies have shown that conventional treatment methods with drugs, physiotherapy and exercises for common neck pain (CNP) may be inadequate. Yoga techniques have been found to be effective complimentary therapies in chronic low back pain and also for stress reduction in other diseases. The aim of the study was to examine the complimentary role of a yogic relaxation called mind sound resonance technique (MSRT) in non-surgical management of CNP. In this randomized controlled study, 60 patients with CNP were assigned to two groups (yoga, n = 30) and (control, n = 30). The yoga group received yogic MSRT for 20 minutes in supine position after the conventional physiotherapy program for 30 minutes using pre-recorded audio CD and the control group had non-guided supine rest for 20 minutes (after physiotherapy), for 10 days. MSRT provides deep relaxation for both mind and body by introspective experience of the sound resonance in the whole body while repeating the syllables A, U, M and Om and a long chant (Mahamrityunjaya mantra) several times in a meaningful sequence. Both the groups had pre and post assessments using visual pain analog scale and goniometric measurement of cervical spinal flexibility. Mann-Whitney U test showed significant difference between groups in pain (P < 0.01) and neck movements (P < 0.01)) with higher reduction in yoga (P < 0.01) than the control group. Wilcoxon’s test showed a significant improvement in both the groups in both variables (P < 0.01). Yogic relaxation through mind sound resonance technique adds significant results to conventional physiotherapy for CNP by reducing pain and providing improved flexibility.