The Comparison of PIR and GT in Mechanical Neck Pain

The aim of this research is to compare the effects of post isometric relaxation and graston technique in mechanical neck pain. Post isometric relaxation and graston effects on pain , cervical range of motion and function. A randomized controlled trial was done at Max health hospital G-8 markaz Islamabad . The sample size was 20. The Participants were divided into two groups,10 participants in group A (post iso metric relaxation) and 10 in group B (Graston technique ) . The study duration was 6 months. Sampling technique applied was purposive sampling technique Randomized through sealed enveloped method . Only 18 to 50 years participants with mechanical neck pain were included in the study . Outcome measure Tools used in this study were Numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) ,inclinometer for cervical ROM, Algometer for pain pressure threshold and Neck disability index for assessing functional disability . Data analyzed through SPSS version 20.

Among all Musculoskeletal disorders occuring in general population ,the neck pain is one of the most common disorder. It's prevalence ranges from 14.2% to 71% in the general population and more prevalent in adult women With the adult age of 15-74 years it's mean point prevalence becomes 7.6%. The child's et al concluded that the life time prevalence of neck pain is 22-70% Among computer workers it has been observed higher incidence , the studies predicted one year incidence of neck pain from 10.4% to 21.3%. Neck pain is defined as "the pain anywhere within the region bounded superiorly by superior nuchal line, inferiorly by an imaginary line through the tip of first thoracic spinous process and laterally by sagittal plane tangential to the lateral borders of the neck".. Postural and mechanical based symptoms occurs in Mechanical neck pain that are under the influence of many factors that's why difficult to understand.The evidence of studies suggests prolonged adapted posture and repetitive movements falls under the category of biomechanical factors that introduce neck pain whereas according to psychosocial stress associated with neck pain , in which over activity of trapezius muscle motor units monitored , due to increased mental and physical demand of work . That Results in Muscle spasm and pain , majorly caused by long time exposure to these stressors which can lead to functional disability , reduces activity level , anxiety , depression overall influence the quality of life of individual. Evidence supported by studies that , in subjects with mechanical neck pain may have trigger points in cervical muscles that include upper trapezius , levator scapulae and sternocleidomastoid muscles . When palpated elicited referred pain pattern , so responsible for major provoked symptoms of Mechanical neck pain. In the cervical region the upper trapezius , levator scapulae , scalene and sternocleidomastoid muscles are tend to be more tight and painful thus their lengthening is more prioritized. Along with the upper trapezius is considered as the most commonly involved muscle. The trigger points are defined as the taut bands of skeletal muscle tissues in hypersensitive areas that generates pain on palpation and shows tenderness on touch. In individual with Mechanical neck pain , the pain processes may involve muscular trigger points. According to shah et al it has been shown that Mechanical Neck Pain is associated with sensitization mechanisms, the algogenic substances and chemical mediators (potassium , serotonin, bradykinin ,histamine , prostaglandins and leukotrienes) that involved in tissue damage can also lead to peripheral transduction are present in higher level in active trigger points than latent trigger points. Literature Review :A Systemic review or Meta-analysis in 2017 by including 7 studies after screening 1169 articles to determine the impact of manual therapy and exercise therapy as combined treatment or delivered alone for the treatment of neck pain patients. They concluded that combined treatment were no more effective for improving outcomes. In 2018 done a metaanalysis conducted to determine the effects of thoracic manipulation on pain and disability in patients of chronic mechanical neck pain . The results describes that thrust manipulation was highly effective than non thrust manipulation for reducing pain and disability associated with mechanical neck pain patients In 2019 a systemic review of 47 randomized controlled trails studies conducted about treatment of chronic non specific neck pain majorly focused on efficacy , effectiveness and safety of manipulation , mobilization and multi-modal approaches.They also predicted that multi-modal approach may have more impact in decreasing pain and increasing function in patients with non specific neck pain. The study Results suggested that Adding Post isometric relaxation technique to the conventional physical therapy treatment program of chronic Mechanical Neck Pain was more effective in reducing pain and functional disability and increasing cervical ROM than the traditional treatment program alone. A study in 2016 suggested that for Muscle energy technique reduces the pain and functional disability higher than stretching technique. A study suggested that for reducing pain and increasing Range of motion Muscle energy technique was better than static stretching in treating patients with mechanical neck pain. According to an Randomized controlled trail study that compared the efficacy of spinal manipulative therapy and Graston technique for the treatment of non specific thoracic pain.There is no significant difference in outcome at any point for pain or disability when comparing Spinal manipulative Therapy , Graston Technique. According to an RCT , the Post Isometric Relaxation was highly beneficial for improving cervical ROM and reducing pain , associated disability in non specific neck pain patients then isometric exercises. According to comparative study in 2017, results suggested increase in neck mobility and reduction in pain , but concluded that Muscle energy technique was more beneficial than positional release technique in patient's with non-specific neck pain. In 2016 According to a study in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain .The outcome measure tools was Visual Analogue Scale for pain intensity , universal goniometer used to measure rotation and lateral flexion of neck muscles while function was determined by Neck Disability Index scale. Results showed improvement in both Proprioceptive Neuromuscular facilitation and Muscle Energy Technique .

Group A included Post Isometric Relaxation, 5 rep , 20% isometric contraction 10 sec , 20 sec of stretch hold beyond resistance barrier and conventional exercise program ; this program included Hot pack placed over the painful area in cervical region before the treatment ( 20 minutes).Strengthening exercises for deep neck flexors, rhomboids, lower trapezius and serratus anterior due to weak muscles (2 sets of 10 repetitions once a day) Stretching exercises for pectoralis muscles (20-second hold, 5 repetitions).This exercise protocol was for 4 weeks and 3 sessions per week. Measurements taken at baseline level and at the End of treatment, i.e. ROM, pain intensity by NPRS and PPT , functional disability.

Group B included Graston Technique to Upper Trapezius and Levator Scapulae.This instrumented-assisted soft tissue massage applied with deeper pressure to the area of concern.The protocol consist of Longitudinal stroking parallel to muscle fiber for 1min , spin over trigger points for 1 min using knob of instrument and fanning for 2 min Hot pack placed over the painful area in cervical region before the treatment ( 20 minutes).Strengthening exercises for deep neck flexors, rhomboids, lower trapezius and serratus anterior due to weak muscles (2 sets of 10 repetitions once a day) Stretching exercises for pectoralis muscles (20-second hold, 5 repetitions). This exercise protocol was for 4 weeks and 3 sessions per week. Measurements taken at baseline level and at the END of treatment , i.e. ROM, pain intensity by NPRS and PPT , functional disability.

Experimental group included Graston technique :The protocol consist of Longitudinal stroking parallel to muscle fiber for 1min , spin over trigger points for 1 min using knob of instrument and fanning for 2 min.

Post Isometric Relaxation, 5 rep , 20% isometric contraction 10 sec , 20 sec of stretch hold beyond resistance barrier

Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) for pain : is a unidimensional measure of pain intensity .The 11-point numeric scale ranges from '0' representing one pain extreme (e.g. "no pain") to '10' representing the other pain extreme (e.g. "pain as bad as you can imagine" or "worst pain imaginable") Changes from base Line Numeric Pain rating scale is a scale for pain starting from 0-10. where 0 indicate no pain and 10 indicate severe pain.

Measuring Cervical flexion, extension , Right side bending , left side bending , right rotation and Left rotation

It is a patient-completed, condition-specific functional status questionnaire with 10 items including pain, personal care, lifting, reading, headaches, concentration, work, driving, sleeping and recreation. The NDI has sufficient support and usefulness to retain its current status as the most commonly used self-report measure for neck pain

Algometers are devices that can be used to identify the pressure and/or force eliciting a pressure-pain threshold on trigger points of upper trapezius and levator scapulae.

Inclusion Criteria: Symptoms of Mechanical neck pain 4-12 weeks. Neck pain rating on NPRS (4-8 ) Palpable pain on Active or latent trigger points Exclusion Criteria: signs of serious pathology (e.g., malignancy, inflammatory disorder, infection) history of cervical spine surgery in previous 12 months history of trauma or fractures in cervical spine signs of cervical radiculopathy Vascular syndromes such as basilar insufficiency.

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