Objective: The aim of this study was to do a cost-benefit analysis of myofascial release therapy (MRT) compared to manual therapy (MT) for treating occupational mechanical neck pain.

Methods: Variables regarding the outcomes of the intervention were intensity of neck pain, cervical disability, quality of life, craniovertebral angle, and ranges of cervical motion. Costs were assessed based on a social perspective using diary costs. Between-groups differences in average cost, cost-effectiveness, and cost-utility ratios were assessed using bootstrap parametric techniques. The economic cost-benefit evaluation was with regard to an experimental parallel group study design. There were 59 participants.

Results: Myofascial released therapy showed significant improvement over MT for cervical mobility (side bending, rotation, and craniovertebral angle). The total cost of MRT was approximately 20% less (-$519.81; 95% confidence interval, -$1193.67 to $100.31) than that of MT, although this was not statistically significant. Cost-effectiveness and cost-utility ratios showed that MRT could be associated with lower economic costs.

Conclusion: With probabilities of 93.9% and 95.8%, MRT seems to be cost-effective for treating mechanical neck pain without the need to add any additional cost to obtain a better clinical benefit. Consequently, we believe it could be included in the clinical practice guidelines of different Spanish health care institutions.

Author keywords: Cost-Benefit Analysis; Neck Pain; Musculoskeletal Manipulations

Author affiliations: IRF: FREMAP-Collaborative Mutual Society with the Social Security Institute No. 61, A Coruña, Spain; FJDT, RMF, IMFB: Department of Medicine, University of A Coruña, Grupo de Terapia Celular y Medicina Regenerativa (TCMR-CHUAC), Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de A Coruña (CHUAC), A Coruña, Spain; GRF, IMdO: Department of Functional Biology and Health Sciences, University of Vigo, HealthyFit Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Galicia Sur (IISGS), Pontevedra, Spain

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