Cervical Stabilization Exercises on Respiratory Strength in Chronic Neck Pain
Condition: Neck Pain
MeSH terms: Neck Pain
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      This project was a Randomized control trial conducted to check the effects of Cervical
      Stabilization Exercises on Respiratory Strength in Chronic Neck Pain Patients with Forward
      Head Posture, duration of study was of 6 months, convenient sampling was done, subject
      following eligibility criteria from Jinnah Hospital Lahore, were randomly allocated in two
      groups via lottery method, baseline assessment was done, Group A participants were given
      baseline treatment protocol for 4 weeks which included 3 sessions per week. Heating Pad
      applied for 15 min and TENS (Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation) for 10 min. After
      that Cervical isometric exercises performed in sitting (10sec hold, 10 to 15 reps). Group B
      was experimental group and participants were given baseline treatment in addition to Cervical
      Stabilization exercises for 4 weeks which included 3 sessions per week. The baseline
      measurement was taken on day one for Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NRPS) and Neck Disability
      Index (NDI). Forward head posture assessed by measuring Cranio Vertebral Angle (CVA).
      Respiratory muscle strengths measured by Spirometer and SBC (single breath count). All the
      measurements repeated at the end of fourth week. Data was analyzed by using SPSS version 20.
    

Detailed description: 
      Extensive usage of electronic gadgets in today's life leads to the musculoskeletal problems
      among which neck pain is the most common problem reported to physicians, orthopedics and
      physical therapists. Even before reporting to clinics there is long history of using over the
      counter pain killers. Pain avoidance behaviors let the cervical spine stiff so much that a
      clinician help is sought. There is huge literature regarding the management of chronic neck
      pain and yet after the decades of research there are gaps in treatment options. In modern age
      of health care, it is common goal of every healthcare to make patient self-sufficient as
      early as possible. The self-care models have tremendous advantages. The current study has
      compared the effects of cervical stabilization exercises and isometric exercises. The current
      study was novel in a way that there is limited literature about treating Chronic Neck Pain
      Patients with effects of physiotherapy on respiratory strength in improving forward head
      posture. All the methods were employed to see if they improve ranges along with accompanying
      pain and disability.
    

Intervention name(s): baseline physical therapy treatment; Cervical Stabilization exercises
Intervention type(s): Other; Other
Intervention description(s): Group A was control group and the patients received Conventional treatment protocol for 4 weeks which included 3 sessions per week. Patients received hot pack for 15 min and TENS (Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation) for 10 min. After that Cervical isometric exercises will be performed in sitting (10sec hold,10 to 15 reps); Group B was experimental group and received baseline physiotherapy treatment in addition to Cervical Stabilization exercises. Pillow was placed beneath cervical spine in supine position and guided patients to nod head as though they said 'yes' and asked them to hold for 10 seconds. 10 repetitions were done before progressing to the next target level.
4 weeks (3 sessions per week)
Hot pack: 10 min
TENS: 10 min
Cervical isometric exercises in sitting (10sec hold,10 to 15 reps)
Cervical Stabilization exercises (10 sec hold, 10 reps)
On eligible participants baseline assessment was taken on day 1, post intervention assessment was taken at the end of 4th week.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: NDI, NPRS, CVA, SBC