Effects of Online Facial Exercise and Self-Massage Program on Neck and Head Pain and Quality of Life

Abstract

Background. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown, most people with headache and neck pain were unable to access health care services, so it is unclear which remote physiotherapy methods would be effective in treating neck and head pain.

Aim. To investigate the effects of virtual facial exercise and self-massage on women’s neck and head pain and functional condition.

Methods. The study included 33 women 45–59 years old, who had experienced neck and head pain in the past month and were not taking pain medications. All subjects were in the experimental group. Facial exercise and self-massage for 20 minutes daily for 20 days were performed by the subjects following virtual instructions. Before and after the intervention, the intensity of neck and head pain was assessed using numeric pain intensity scale, the quality of life was assessed using neck disability index and headache disability index.

Results. Neck pain decreased by 3.82 ± 2.63 points (p < 0.05), headache decreased by 2.82 ± 1.93 points (p < 0.05), neck functional disability decreased by 7.33 ± 4.57 points (p < 0.05), headache disability index values decreased by 15.57 ± 8.47 points (p < 0.05).

Conclusion. After the application of virtual facial exercise and self-massage, women’s neck and head pain was reduced and the quality of life improved.

Keywords: neck pain, headache, physiotherapy, massage, quality of life.