The technology of different designs of pillows on reducing neck pain, disability and spinal alignment: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: Neck pain has high prevalent condition that affects adversely both quality of life, sleep quality and productivity at work. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to identify randomized controlled trials assessing the effectiveness of different designs of pillows in neck pain.

Objective: To conduct a systematic review that assessed all available clinical trials to study the technology of different designs of pillows on reducing neck pain, disability and spinal alignment.

Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control studies were collected by searching a series of keywords in six databases. Two independent reviewers were used to review the articles and assign a PEDro score. Thirty-five pillow articles that met the criteria to be included in this study.

Results: Nine high-quality studies, 555 participants were included. The average PEDro score was 6.56/10. The meta-analysis demonstrated significant standardized mean difference values in favor of pillow intervention to reduce waking pain (-0.263, P<0.001), neck disability (-0.506, P=0.02) and satisfaction rate (1.144, P<0.001). The findings of this systematic review suggest that rubber and spring pillows may have better performance than feather pillows. In side-lying positions, the cervical segments were stable showed in 3-D motion analysis; while there is no study investigate the change of cervical segments in supine lying. Although 150 of cervical angle in supine lying has been recommended, there is no more literature support for this recommendation.

Conclusion: Spring and rubber pillows are effective on waking pain, disability and pillow satisfaction in chronic neck pain patients because the alignment of the cervical spine can be maintained with appropriate pillow supports. Alignment of the cervical spine may be impacted more significantly by the shape and height of the pillow than materials.