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Predicting Results With Neuroreflexotherapy for Neck and Back Pain

The treatment of chronic neck and back pain remains a challenge. Very few treatment methods have been effective. Neuroreflexotherapy (NRT) is one of those treatments that has been proven helpful.

NRT therapy is the implantation of surgical staples in trigger points. Trigger points are hyperirritable spots within muscles that can cause chronic pain. In this study, researchers from Spain report on the results of NRT with over 1,500 patients.

The goal of the study was to find factors that might predict who can benefit from NRT and the results of treatment. Although this treatment method has been proven effective, it is not used outside of Spain yet. And even within the Spanish National Health Service, its use is spreading very slowly. The authors suggest this is because NRT has been financed by public and nonprofit organizations.

Based on studies showing the success of NRT, it has been used in Spain since December 2003. NRT is used with anyone with neck or back pain lasting more than 14 days. Results were based on pain levels and disability before and after treatment. Everyone was rechecked at six and 12 weeks after the implants were put in place.

Treatment failure was defined as being no better or worse than before treatment. Failure rates were about 10 per cent for local pain and 14.5 per cent for disability. Most of the patients reported improvement and were satisfied with the treatment.

Patients who had longer pain duration or shorter time with implants in place had the worst results. Patients with neck pain seemed to respond better to NRT compared to patients with middle-to-lower back pain. Patients with the most severe symptoms had the most improvement.

Based on the results of this study the authors suggest that early referral has the best results with NRT. Predicting success was easier than predicting failure. Factors linked with worse prognosis can be used to help rank patients for treatment. But predicting who won't benefit isn't possible yet.

References: Francisco Kovas, MD, PhD, et al. Prognostic Factors for Neuroreflexotherapy in the Treatment of Subacute and Chronic Neck and Back Pain. In Spine. July 1, 2007. Vol. 32. No. 15. Pp. 1621-1628.

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