Effects of Breathing Exercises on Pain, Range of Motion and Neck Disability in Patients With Cervical Spondylosis

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 72 diagnosed patients with cervical spondylosis at University of Lahore Teaching hospital. The study was completed within 9 months after the approval of synopsis. Patients who fulfill the inclusion criteria were identified by individual physiotherapist and were enrolled for particular study. Informed written consent was be taken by the patients and were randomly allocated into two groups. The total numbers of sessions were 12 (3 sessions per week). The study was single blinded. The assessor was unaware of the treatment given to both groups. Control group received only routine physical therapy. This includes thermotherapy, trans-cutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, neck isometrics and stretching that includes 12 sessions and three times per week. Experimental group received routine physical therapy along with breathing exercises. This includes thermotherapy, trans-cutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, neck isometrics and stretching that includes 12 sessions and three times per week. Baseline data was collected before first treatment then after 4th, 8th and 12th session. The outcome measures were neck pain, ROM, neck disability and quality of life and were analyzed by using SPSS 26 and then results and conclusion were drawn.

Official Title
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Effects of Breathing Exercises on Pain, Range of Motion and Neck Disability in Patients With Cervical Spondylosis

Conditions
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Cervical Spondylosis

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Diaphragmatic and pursed lip breathing
* Other: Routine Physical Therapy


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Diagnosed patients with cervical spondylosis Both male and female Age from 40-60 years Exclusion Criteria: Any deformity of spine Any surgery of spine Tumor Trauma & Fracture Cervical radiculopathy Respiratory diseases

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 40 Years
Maximum Age: 60 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Interventional Model Description: Randomized Controlled Trial
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Routine Physical Therapy<br>This group received only routine physical therapy. This includes thermotherapy, trans-cutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, neck isometrics and stretching that includes 12 sessions (3 sessions per week) | Other: Routine Physical Therapy<br>* Routine physical therapy exercises were performed in which neck isometrics and neck range of motion exercises were performed<br>|
| Experimental: Breathing Exercises along with routine physical therapy<br>This group received routine physical therapy along with breathing exercises. This includes thermotherapy, trans-cutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, neck isometrics and stretching that includes 12 sessions (3 sessions per week). | Other: Diaphragmatic and pursed lip breathing<br>* Breathing exercises were performed. Two breathing techniques were applied to the participants. Diaphragmatic and pursed lip breathing were intervened along with routine physical therapy.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in Visual Analogue Scale score | Visual analogue scale was used to assess neck pain. Score ranges from 0-10. 0 shows least pain and 10 shows worst pain | Change from pre-intervention to 4 weeks | 
| Change in Universal Goniometer readings | Universal Goniometer was used to assess cervical range of motion. | Change from pre-intervention to 4 weeks | 
| Change in Neck Disability Index score | Neck Disability Index was used to assess neck disability. Score ranges from 0-50. 0 shows minimum disability and 50 shows maximum disability. | Change from pre-intervention to 4 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in SF-36 Questionnaire score | SF-36 Questionnaire was used to assess quality of life. Scale is directly transformed into a 0-100 scale on the assumption that each question carries equal weight. The lower the score the more disability. The higher the score the less disability. | Change from pre-intervention to 4 weeks |