Effect of Manual Therapy combining Aromatherapy and Music Therapy on Autonomic Nervous System, Muscle Tone, Muscle Stiffness, and Pain in Young Male Adults with Chronic Neck Pain

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of manual therapy combining aromatherapy and music therapy on perfusion index (PI), heart rate variability (HRV), muscle tone, muscle stiffness, and pain in young male adults with chronic neck pain. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: A total of 28 people with chronic neck pain voluntarily participated in the study. The subjects were divided into an experimental group (n=14) that intervened for manual therapy combined with aromatherapy and music therapy, and a control group that intervened only for manual therapy (n=14). In the experimental group, music slower than 120 beats and lavender essential oil was applied during manual therapy, and in the control group, only manual therapy was performed. The study was conducted for 4 weeks, and each intervention was performed twice a week. PI and HRV, muscle tension, muscle stiffness, pain threshold, and Neck Disability Index (NDI) were measured before and after the intervention. Results: In comparison within the groups after the intervention, the two groups showed significant differences in PI, HRV, muscle tone, muscle stiffness, pain threshold, and NDI (p<0.05), and there were significant differences between groups after the intervention for PI, HRV, muscle tone, muscle stiffness, pain threshold, and NDI (p<0.05). Conclusions: Therefore, manual therapy combining aromatherapy and music therapy is an effective intervention for young male adults with chronic neck pain. In addition, it can be used as basic data when designing an effective manual therapy program for chronic neck pain patients using the parasympathetic nerve.