OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of deep tissue massage, supervised strengthening and stretching exercises, and a combined therapy (exercise followed by massage) (index groups), with advice to stay active (control group). METHODS: Randomized controlled trial of 619 adults with subacute or persistent neck pain allocated to massage (n = 145), exercise (n = 160), combined therapy (n = 169) or advice (n = 147). Primary outcomes were minimal clinically important improvements in neck pain intensity and pain-related disability based on adapted questions from the Chronic Pain Questionnaire. Secondary outcomes were perceived recovery and sickness absence. Outcomes were measured at seven, 12, 26 and 52 weeks. RESULTS: We found improvement in pain intensity favouring massage and combined therapy compared to advice; at seven weeks (RR 1.36; 95%CI 1.04 to 1.77) and 26 weeks (RR 1.23; 95%CI 0.97 to 1.56); and seven (RR 1.39; 95%CI 1.08 to 1.81) and 12 weeks (RR 1.28; 95%CI 1.02 to 1.60) respectively, but not at later follow-ups. Exercise showed higher improvement of pain intensity at 26 weeks (RR 1.31; 95%CI 1.04 to 1.65). Perceived recovery was higher in the index groups than in the advice group at all follow-ups. We found no consistent differences in pain related disability or sickness absence. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, at 12-months follow-up, none of the index therapies were more effective than advice in terms of pain intensity in the long term or in terms of pain-related disability in the short or long term. However, the index therapies led to higher incidence of improvement in pain intensity in the short term, and higher incidence of favorable perceived recovery in the short and in the long term than advice. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN01453590. Registered 3 July 2014.

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