Does Electrical Stimulation Alone Improve Pain And Mobility In Chronic Neck Pain? What a Top European Medical University Found

person Savannah Martin
calendar_today Jan 10, 2026
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This article is part of the ORIEMS FIT Research Digest series.

We share real scientific research from respected universities worldwide, explained in plain, everyday language so anyone — from 14 to 70 — can understand it.

Our goal is to spark curiosity, build confidence in reading research, and encourage independent learning.

👉 At the end of this article, you’ll find a direct link to the original study, where you can read the full paper, download the PDF, fact-check the findings, or collect research for your own learning.

If our explanation isn’t your style, you can always skip it and go straight to the source.

Who Did This Research — and When?

Who were the researchers?
This research was conducted by a team of doctors and scientists from the Medical University of Vienna, one of Europe’s most respected medical institutions.

Where are they based?

Vienna General Hospital
Medical University of Vienna
Vienna, Austria

This hospital–university partnership is known for:

Pain medicine research
Rehabilitation science
Clinical trials in real patients

When was the study published?

2023, in a peer-reviewed medical journal called Medicina

Why does that matter?

The journal is peer-reviewed
The study was ethically approved
It followed strict clinical trial rules

This is not marketing research.
It is hospital-based medical science.

What Was This Research About?

The researchers wanted to answer a simple but important question:

👉 Can regular electrical muscle stimulation help people with long-term neck pain move better — even if pain does not disappear right away?

They focused on:

Chronic neck pain (pain lasting more than 3 months)
Stiffness
Loss of movement
Daily function

What Type of Electrical Stimulation Was Used?

This study used electrotherapy that activates muscles, not just nerves.

Important distinction:

❌ Not pain-only TENS focus
✅ Supra-threshold electrical stimulation that causes visible muscle contractions

That matters because:

Muscles are responsible for movement
Weak or inactive muscles often cause stiffness
Activating muscles sends signals back to the brain

Who Was Studied?

The study included:

Men and women
Average age: around 49 years
People with chronic neck pain, low back pain, or both
Pain lasting more than 3 months

Many participants:

Had tried pain medication
Still had stiffness and limited movement
Lived with daily discomfort

This reflects real people, not athletes or lab volunteers.

How Was the Study Done?

Participants were divided into three groups:

EMS group
- Received muscle-activating electrotherapy
- 30 minutes per session
- Once a week
- 6 weeks total
Sham (control) group
- Device calibration only
- No real stimulation
No-stimulation group

The study was:

Randomized
Double-blinded
Conducted in a hospital setting

This is considered a high-quality clinical design.

What Did the Researchers Find?

1️⃣ Movement Improved — Even When Pain Did Not Change Much

The most important finding:

👉 People who received EMS showed measurable improvements in spinal movement.

Specifically:

Range of motion increased
Flexibility improved
Muscles became less stiff

This improvement was statistically significant, meaning:

It was unlikely to be random
It was measured objectively, not guessed

2️⃣ Why Is This Important for Neck Pain?

Many people think:

“If pain is still there, nothing is improving.”

This study shows something different:

👉 Movement and pain are not the same thing.

Researchers explain:

Muscles can loosen before pain fades
Better movement can prevent further stiffness
Improved mobility supports long-term function

This helps explain why some people say:

“My neck moves better even though pain hasn’t fully gone yet.”

3️⃣ Why Muscle Activation Matters

The electrical stimulation:

Caused real muscle contractions
Activated muscles that were under-used
Sent stronger signals from muscle → brain

Over time, this may help:

Reduce protective muscle guarding
Improve coordination
Support daily movement patterns

The researchers highlight that physical function itself matters, not just pain scores.

Why Could EMS Be Helpful for People With Neck Pain?

Based on this study, EMS may help with:

Stiff neck muscles
Reduced range of motion
Weak or inactive muscles
Fear-based protective posture

Importantly:

The study does not claim EMS cures pain
It shows measurable movement improvements

That difference is critical — and TGA-compliant.

How Might This Help EMS Users Long Term?

For people using EMS regularly:

Muscles may stay more active
Movement may stay smoother
Stiffness may reduce over time
Daily activities may feel easier

This study supports long-term consistency, not instant results.

Study Information

Original Research Title:
Effect of Regular Electrotherapy on Spinal Flexibility and Pain Sensitivity in Patients with Chronic Non-Specific Neck Pain and Low Back Pain

Simplified Name:
Can Muscle-Activating EMS Improve Movement in Chronic Neck Pain?

Source:
Published in Medicina (2023), a peer-reviewed medical journal
Conducted by the Medical University of Vienna

This is a trustworthy source because:

It is peer-reviewed
Hospital-based
Ethically approved
Publicly accessible

Link to original study: https://www.mdpi.com/2261756

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Summary Table – At a Glance

Area	What the Study Found
Study Type	Randomized, double-blinded clinical trial
Location	Medical University of Vienna, Austria
Participants	Adults with chronic neck pain
Duration	6 weeks
EMS Type	Muscle-activating electrotherapy
Key Result	Improved spinal movement
Pain Change	Small or inconsistent
Main Insight	Movement can improve before pain fades

Let’s Talk

Have you ever noticed your neck moves better before pain fully disappears?

That’s exactly what this study observed.

💬 Share your experience in the comments — your story might help someone else feel less alone.

Mandatory Disclaimer

This blog post is for informational and recreational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment.

For full details on our disclaimer, visit:
https://oriems.fit/blogs/research-digest/disclaimer

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🔍 How We Source Research Studies

At ORIEMS FIT Research Digest, every study we feature comes directly from peer-reviewed scientific journals, not social media or secondary websites.
Here’s how the process works:

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- the authors’ institutions (universities, hospitals, or research institutes),
- the publication year,
- and the journal’s credibility.
  We always include journal names, volume numbers, and DOI or reference links at the end of every digest.
Simplified, Not Altered
We rewrite the findings in simple, clear language — especially for readers aged 14 to 80 — but the data, results, and scientific integrity remain untouched.
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