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An Experimental Paradigm for the Prediction of Post-Operative Pain (PPOP)
Published on: January 28, 2010
Cervical pain: a comparison of three pillows
R A Lavin1, M Pappagallo, K V Kuhlemeier
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
|February 1, 1997
Summary
Choosing the right pillow, like a water-based pillow, can significantly reduce neck pain and improve sleep quality. Proper pillow selection is key for pain relief and better sleep, though it may not impact disability.
Area of Science:
- Pain Management
- Sleep Science
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Benign cervical pain affects a significant portion of the population, impacting daily life and sleep quality.
- Pillow selection is a common self-management strategy for individuals with neck pain, but evidence supporting specific types is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of a water-based pillow, a roll pillow, and a usual pillow in managing benign cervical pain.
- To evaluate the impact of different pillow types on pain intensity, pain relief, sleep quality, disability, and overall satisfaction.
Main Methods:
- A 5-week randomized crossover study involving 41 subjects with benign cervical pain.
- Subjects used their usual pillow for one week, followed by randomized 2-week periods with a roll pillow and a water-based pillow.
- Outcomes were measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Sleep Questionnaire, Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), and a satisfaction scale.
Main Results:
- The water-based pillow demonstrated significant improvements in reducing morning pain intensity and enhancing pain relief.
- Subjects reported improved quality of sleep when using the water-based pillow.
- The water-based pillow showed a significant advantage over both the roll and usual pillows in overall Sickness Impact Profile findings.
Conclusions:
- Appropriate pillow selection can lead to substantial reductions in pain and improvements in sleep quality for individuals with benign cervical pain.
- While effective for pain and sleep, pillow choice did not significantly alter disability outcomes as measured by the Sickness Impact Profile.
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