The Effectiveness of the Polyvagal Theory in Chronic Neck Pain

Neck pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal problems that negatively impacts individuals' health and quality of life. When chronic painful conditions occur in musculoskeletal disorders, mood disorders such as depression and anxiety can also occur. A long-term history of neck pain is associated with stress, poor quality of life, and decreased functionality. Polyvagal theory advocates working with the body, becoming aware of it, and connecting with the senses. Exercises based on polyvagal theory can be specifically designed and customized to stimulate the vagus nerve, promote relaxation, and enhance social interaction by following the principles of polyvagal theory. While polyvagal theory is often used in psychology, it has only been used in rehabilitation in one study, with the potential to improve quality of life by inhibiting the sympathetic nervous system and activating the parasympathetic nervous system, thereby reducing pain perception and stress. This study, in which participants were divided into three groups: control, intervention 1, and intervention 2, aimed to examine the effectiveness of a polyvagal theory-based exercise approach on joint position sense, pain, range of motion, functionality, depression, and quality of life in individuals with chronic neck pain.