AB0839-HPR Comparision of two physiotheraphy approaches on pain and muscular performance in mechanical chronic neck pain
Authors: H. E. Kilinç, G. Baltaci
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2013)

<h3>Background</h3> For patients with mechanical neck pain it is an important factor to relieve the postural imbalance resulting, elevating and protracting of shoulder and anterior tilting of head (1,2). <h3>Objectives</h3> The aim of study was to determine the short-term effects of mobilization, trigger point therapy and kinesiotaping on duration without head and neck pain and the improvement endurance of deep cervical neck flexors in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain. <h3>Methods</h3> Thirty-one patients with mechanical chronic neck pain who take at least 5 points from Neck Disability Index and suffer neck pain at least 3 months, randomly divided into two groups. Group 1 (n=15; mean age:25.5± 8.1yrs) received scapular mobilization for 10 minutes, after disappeared pain feeling ischemic compression for trigger points and Cyriax mobilization including deep friction massage for sensitive regions, antero-posterior, medio-lateral gliding cervical vertebra, and manual traction a week. Group 2 (n=16 mean age:32.7 ±13.2yrs) took in addition to Group 1, kinesiotaping on painful area and passive correction for biomechanical problems. Before and after 4 days from treatment, head and neck pain evaluated with Visual Analog Scale, endurance of deep neck cervical flexors measured by Craniocervical Flexion Tests) using "Stabilizer Pressure Biofeedback" device. To evaluate the quality of life Neck Disability Index, Nottingham Health Profile and Beck Depression Questionnaire were applied to all patients before and after treatment. <h3>Results</h3> Before treatment Neck Disability, Nottingham Health Profile, Beck Depression Questionnaire scores were not significantly different between two groups and after treatment these scores did not change significantly. There was a significant difference in the endurance of deep cervical flexors (Craniocervical flexion test) in both groups after treatment (p<sub>1</sub>:0,028, p<sub>2</sub>:0.006); respectively. The improvement of Craniocervical flexion test scores of group 2 had greater than group1 (p:0,05) despite pre-treatment Craniocervical flexion test scores lesser than first group. After treatment, in both of groups visual analog scores of headache were lesser than pre-treatment scores (p<sub>:</sub>0,01). But difference of this parametre between two groups were'not significant(p:0,425). Duration of without pain (hours) in group 2 was greater than group 1 (p:0,044). <h3>Conclusions</h3> The cervical mobilization techniques and ischemic compression for trigger points are effective methods for mechanical neck pain. Kinesiotaping for decrease pain on painful area and passive correction for impaired muscle balance, increased duration without neck pain. Improvement endurance of deep neck cervical flexors might be because of relieving pain on neck area and preventing overstress on contractile structures with correcting muscle imbalance. <h3>References</h3> Janda V.Proximal crossed syndrome. In: Hutson M, Ellis R, editors. Textbook of musculoskeletal medicine. 1 st ed. New York : Oxford University Press. 2006;1:48-4. Behrsin JF, Magiure K. Levator Scapulae action during shoulder movement: A possible mechanism for shoulder pain of cervical origin. Australian Journal of Physiotherapy. 1986;32:101-106. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None Declared