Tasuki for neck pain: An individually‐randomized, open‐label, waiting‐list‐controlled trial

OBJECTIVES: Neck pain ranks 4th highest in terms of disability as measured by years lived with disabilities. This study was conducted to determine whether Tasuki‐style posture supporter improves neck pain compared to waiting‐list. METHODS: This trial was an individually‐randomized, open‐label, waiting‐list‐controlled study. Adults (20 years or older) with non‐specific chronic neck pain who reported 10 points or more on modified Neck Disability Index (mNDI: range, 0‐50; higher points indicate worse condition) were enrolled. Participants were randomly assigned 1:1 to the intervention group or waiting‐list. Prespecified primary outcome was the change in mNDI at 1 week. The principle of intention‐to‐treat analyses (as randomized) was applied. This trial was prospectively registered with UMIN (UMIN000034825). RESULTS: In total, 50 participants (mean age, 40.9 [standard deviation (SD) = 9.6]; 32 participants [64%] were female, mean mNDI, 14.3 [SD = 2.9]) were enrolled. Of these participants, 26 (52%) were randomly assigned to the intervention group and 24 (48%) to the waiting‐list. Attrition rate was low in both groups (1/50). The mean mNDI change score at 1 week was more favorable for Tasuki than waiting‐list (between‐group difference, −3.5 points (95% confidence interval (CI), −5.3 to −1.8); P = .0002). More participants (58%) had moderate benefit (at least 30% improvement) with Tasuki than waiting‐list (13%) (relative risk 4.6 (95% CI 1.5 to 14); risk difference 0.45 (0.22 to 0.68)). CONCLUSION: This trial suggests that wearing Tasuki might moderately improve neck pain. With its low‐cost, low‐risk, and easy‐to‐use nature, Tasuki could be an option for those who suffer from neck pain.