Effects of gentle mechanical skin stimulation on subjective symptoms and joint range of motions in people with chronic neck and shoulder discomfort

Nobuhiro Watanabe; Marina Nara; Shihoko Suzuki; Masamitsu Sugie; Takao Yamamoto; Harumi Hotta

doi:10.1186/s12576-023-00862-8

Effects of gentle mechanical skin stimulation on subjective symptoms and joint range of motions in people with chronic neck and shoulder discomfort

J Physiol Sci. 2023 Mar 29;73(1):4. doi: 10.1186/s12576-023-00862-8.

Authors

Nobuhiro Watanabe¹, Marina Nara², Shihoko Suzuki³, Masamitsu Sugie^{4

5}, Takao Yamamoto³, Harumi Hotta⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Autonomic Neuroscience, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, 35-2 Sakaecho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-0015, Japan.
² Japanese Association for Healthy Life Expectancy, Tokyo, 173-0014, Japan.
³ NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation), Tokyo, 150-8001, Japan.
⁴ Oyama Kenko-no-Machi Clinic, Tokyo, 173-0014, Japan.
⁵ Health Promotion Management Office, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Tokyo, 173-0015, Japan.
⁶ Department of Autonomic Neuroscience, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, 35-2 Sakaecho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-0015, Japan. hhotta@tmig.or.jp.

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the efficacy of a 2-week self-administered gentle mechanical skin stimulation on chronic neck and shoulder discomfort. In participants (n = 12) with chronic neck and shoulder discomfort, subjective measures of pain sensation, discomfort, and difficulty in moving using a visual analog scale (VAS, 0-10) and objective measures of 12 different joint range of motions (ROMs) for the cervical and shoulder regions, using a digital goniometer, were collected before and after self-care with contact acupuncture, called microcones. The self-care for 2 weeks significantly (p < 0.001) decreased all VAS scores to 2.2-2.3 from baseline values of 6.0-7.4. Of the 12 ROMs tested, 8 were significantly increased (p < 0.013). This open-label study suggests the use of self-care with microcones in improving subjective symptoms and joint ROMs in people suffering from chronic neck and shoulder discomfort. However, a randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial is needed to further investigate the efficacy and safety of microcones.

Keywords: Acupuncture; Difficulty in moving; Discomfort; Neck and shoulder discomfort; Pain; Range of motion; Self-care; Skin stimulation.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

Humans
Neck Pain* / therapy
Pain Measurement
Range of Motion, Articular
Shoulder*
Treatment Outcome