Dilek GONULTAS, Duygu GELER KULCU, Ecem Pelin KAYMAZ, Berna GUNAY, Nilgun MESCI
Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation - 2026;72(2):178-187
Objectives: This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of mesotherapy in patients with acute or subacute neck pain compared to oral medications with the same active ingredients. Patients and methods: In this randomized, single-blind study, 44 patients with acute to subacute neck pain (6 males, 38 females; mean age: 46.8+/-11.1 years; range, 23 to 65 years) were included between October 30, 2023, and June 30, 2024. These patients were randomly assigned to two groups. The first group received two sessions of mesotherapy solution, administered at seven -day intervals. The second group received oral meloxicam 15 mg once daily and thiocolchicoside 8 mg twice daily for seven days. Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), and cervical range of motion were evaluated before treatment and on the seventh and 14th days. Results: There was no significant difference in demographic data, initial VAS scores, range of motion, and NDI scores between the two groups (p>0.05). Significant improvements in the VAS (p<0.001 and p<0.03, respectively) and NDI scores (p<0.001 and p=0.016, respectively) were observed within both groups. However, there was no significant difference between the groups (p>0.05). No significant difference was found within or between the groups in range of motion (p>0.05). In the first group, VAS scores significantly improved 30 mins after both sessions (p=0.009 and p=0.038, respectively). Conclusion: We found mesotherapy to be as effective as oral combination therapy. Mesotherapy can be preferred as it allows the use of low-dose medication to relieve acute and subacute neck pain.
