OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of acupuncture combined with physiotherapy in comparison with acupuncture and physiotherapy performed alone in different parameters; pain intensity, muscle tension, functional disability and muscle strength in the treatment of tension neck syndrome (TNS). DESIGN: A prospective, comparative clinical trial. SETTING: Acupuncture and Rehabilitation Department. BACKGROUND: TNS can occur in computer users. Acupuncture has been one alternative treatment in physiotherapeutic rehabilitation of musculoskeletal disorders. SUBJECTS: Forty-six patients with TNS. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were allocated into three groups: group-1 received physiotherapy (therapeutic exercises) combined with acupuncture; group-2, acupuncture alone, and group-3, physiotherapy alone; over a period of 10 weeks, with one or two sessions weekly. OUTCOME ASSESSMENT: All patients had completed the protocols and were assessed using a visual analogue scale for pain intensity (VASpain) and muscle tension (VASmt), the Neck Disability Index: Brazilian Portuguese version for functional disability, and the cranio-cervical Flexion Test for isometric neck muscle strength (INMS); in the periods before treatment (baseline), after 10 weeks of treatment, and after 6 months of follow-up. RESULTS: All groups showed significant improvement (p < 0.001) in these parameters after 10 weeks of treatment and after 6 months of follow-up. Group-1 was superior to group-3 in pain and functional disability improvements (p < 0.05); and group-1 was superior to both group-2 (p < 0.01) and group-3 (p < 0.05) in INMS. After 6 months of follow-up, the improvements of all groups were maintained (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The data suggested that acupuncture effect may facilitate and/or enhance physiotherapy performance in musculoskeletal rehabilitation for tension neck syndrome.

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