Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical usefulness of M-test(Meridian test) as an adjunctive evaluation and treatment in patients with chronic neck pain.

Method : This study was an single arm pre-post comparison study. Thirty-six eligible subjects with chronic neck pain were recruited from August to September, 2015. M-test was used for evaluating the condition of a meridian which could induce the limitation of ROM and body discomfort. Subjects were offered the intradermal acupuncture treatment on the one-acupoint for 48 hours. Cervical numeric rating scale(NRS), cervical range of motion(ROM), neck disability index(NDI) and surface electromyography (SEMG) were measured before and after treatment. Total NRS and the number of movement limitation of M-test were also measured before and after treatment.

Result : Among the 36 participating subjects, 4 subjects were lost to follow-up or excluded in accordance with the criteria. Significant differences on Cervical NRS and NDI were seen after treatment(p<0.001). There was a significant difference in range of left cervical rotation(p<0.05). Root mean square(RMS) of SEMG was significantly decreased on right sternocleidomastoid muscle(p<0.05), but significantly increased on right trapezius muscle(p<0.05). Median frequency(MdF) of SEMG was significantly increased on both sternocleidomastoid muscles. There appears to be a significant differences after treatment in total NRS and the number of movement limitation of M-test(p<0.05).

Conclusions : These results suggest that the evaluation and treatment of M-test based on the meridian and collateral theory were effective on cervical NRS, NDI and improved the movability of human body .

Key words : M-test, Neck Pain, Acupuncture