Muscle Energy Technique Versus Maitland Mobilization on Shoulder Pain and Disability

Muscle Energy Technique Versus Maitland Mobilization on Shoulder Pain and Disability After Neck Dissection Surgeries.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of muscle energy technique versus Maitland's mobilization on shoulder pain and disability after neck dissection surgeries.

Thirty patients with shoulder pain and limited ROM post-neck dissection surgeries participated in this study. Patients were subdivided into two groups, fifteen patients in each group. Group A received the muscle energy technique and group B received Maitland's mobilization. Data obtained from both groups regarding Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), The Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), and shoulder flexion, abduction, and external ROM were statistically analyzed and compared.

Muscle energy technique, Maitland's mobilization, shoulder pain and disability, neck dissection surgeries

Patients were subdivided into two groups, fifteen patients in each group. Group A received the muscle energy technique and group B received Maitland's mobilization.

This group includes 15 patients who received muscle energy technique post-surgery in addition to traditional shoulder exercise, 3 sessions/week for four weeks.

This group includes 15 patients who received mobilization in addition to traditional shoulder exercise, 3 sessions/week for four weeks.

It was applied on the shoulder flexion and the external rotation. An isometric contraction of the agonist muscle (the muscle which requires stretching) for 7 seconds with gentle muscle contraction to avoid the risk of increasing the muscle tone. This contraction started just short of the restrictive barrier. After that, the patient is asked to relax for 2-3 seconds and then the therapist stretches the contracted muscle in the opposite direction for 30 seconds. This is repeated three repetitions for each muscle.

At the start of each session, the physical therapist examined the patient's ROM in all directions to obtain information about the end-range position and the end feel of the glenohumeral joint. Start with rhythmic mid-range mobilization with the patient in a supine position. The therapist's hands are placed close to the glenohumeral joint, and the humerus is brought into a position of maximal flexion in the sagittal plane. After 10 to 15 repetitions of intensive mobilization techniques in this end-range position, the direction of mobilization will be altered by varying the plane of elevation or by varying the degree of rotation. When alternating the direction of mobilization, other movements such as gliding techniques and distraction in that joint position were (inferior gliding, anterior gliding, and posterior gliding).

Traditional shoulder exercises in the form of shoulder range of motion exercises, stretching exercises and, scapular stabilization.

A Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) is one of the pain rating scales used for the first time in 1921 by Hayes and Patterson. It is often used in epidemiology and clinical research to measure the intensity or frequency of various symptoms.

It is a self-reported questionnaire consisting of 13 items divided in two parts: pain and disability sub-scale.

Through using the universal goniometer to measure the shoulder flexion, abduction and, external rotation.

Inclusion Criteria: Age range between 25-70 years. Male and female patients participated in the study. All patients had shoulder pain following different NDS All patients had no previous shoulder pain. All patients enrolled in the study had their informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: Previous shoulder pain from any other causes. Pregnancy. Epileptics. Radiotherapy. Chemotherapy.