Network Meta-Analysis of the Effect of Different Modalities of Exercise on the Treatment of Non-Specific Neck Pain

Exercise therapy is an effective means of relieving neck pain. However, the effectiveness of various exercise therapy interventions is currently inconsistent. Therefore, this study aims to use network meta-analysis to investigate the effectiveness of exercise therapy in treating non-specific neck pain (NSNP) and the differences between different exercise interventions, providing insights into the application of exercise therapy in NSNP management. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of NSNP exercise therapy were collected by searching the databases of CNKI, Wanfang, Vipshop, Web of Science, Pubmed, Elsevier, and EBSCO. Stata software was used to assess the quality of the literature, and Stata software was used for network meta-analysis. The results showed that 1919 studies were jointly included, and 30 papers were remaining after screening.The results of the study showed that Ba duan jin, Pilates, Resistance, Stretch, Stability, Yoga, Qi gong, Endurance, and Tai chi, all 9 exercise modalities, could reduce the level of pain in patients with NSNP, of which Stretch, Stability, Resistance, Pilates, and Ba duan jin improvement had significant differences, and Stability training was the best modality to significantly improve neck pain in NSNP patients (Surface area under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) = 74.5). Pilates, Resistance, Stretch, Stability, Yoga, Qi gong, and Tai chi. All 7 exercise modalities can improve neck dysfunction in patients with NSNP, Yoga, Stretch and Resistance had significant improvement, the best modality was Yoga (SUCRA=84.4). Ba duan jin, Resistance, Stretch, Qi gong, and Tai chi. these 5 exercise modalities can all improve the quality of life of NSNP patients, among which Ba duan jin has effectiveness, and the best modality to improve neck dysfunction in NSNP patients is Ba duan jin (SUCRA=91.1).Exercise therapy is an effective rehabilitation treatment for NSNP, with significant effects in relieving NP, improving neck dysfunction, and enhancing quality of life. Among them, stability training had the best effect in relieving NP, yoga training had the best effect on neck dysfunction, and Ba duan jin had the best effect on life quality improvement.