Effects of Scapular Stabilization Versus Thoracic Spine Extension Exercises in Mechanical Neck Pain

Effects of Scapular Stabilization Versus Thoracic Spine Extension Exercises on Pain, Disability and Range Of Motion in Patients With Mechanical Neck Pain

Mechanical neck pain is posteriorly occurring non-specific pain that originates from the superior nuchal line and extends to the first thoracic vertebrae. It is exacerbated by sustained neck postures, neck movements or cervical muscle palpation. The aim of study will be to compare the effects of scapular stabilization versus thoracic spine extension exercises on pain, disability and range of motion in patients with mechanical neck pain.

A Randomized Clinical Trial will be conducted at Riphah Clinic Lahore, FMH Physiotherapy Clinic and Boston Physiotherapy Clinic Lahore through consecutive sampling technique on 30 patients which will be allocated using simple random sampling through sealed opaque enveloped into Group A and Group B. Group A will be treated with scapular stabilization exercises and Group B will be treated with thoracic extension exercises at the frequency of 2 sets with 10 repetitions and thrice a week. Outcome measures will be conducted through pain, disability and range of motion questionnaire after 6 weeks. Data will be analyzed during SPSS software version 21. After assessing normality of data by Shapiro-Wilk test, it will be decided either parametric or non-parametric test will be used within a group or between two groups.

Group A performed scapular stabilization exercises for 4 weeks with 2 sets of 10 repetitions. These exercises comprised of four exercise programs (Scapular retraction; Scapular mobilization, Scapular dynamic stabilization I and Scapular dynamic stabilization II).

Group B performed thoracic extension exercises for 4 weeks with 2 sets of 10 repetitions. These exercises comprised of three exercise programs.

Scapular stabilization exercise aims to restore scapular position, orientations, motor control of muscles, and movement pattern, thereby attaining stability of scapula for better kinematics of shoulder.scapular stabilization exercises for 4 weeks with 2 sets of 10 repetitions. These exercises comprised of four exercise programs (Scapular retraction; Scapular mobilization, Scapular dynamic stabilization I and Scapular dynamic stabilization II)

Thoracic extension involves concurrent posterior rotation (external torsion) and depression of the posterior ribs with elevation of the anterior ribs. Bending to the side is a combination of spinal segments side bending, ribs on the same come together while ribs on the opposite side separate.Group B performed thoracic extension exercises for 4 weeks with 2 sets of 10 repetitions. These exercises comprised of three exercise programs.

The Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) (an outcome measure) that is a unidimensional measure of pain intensity in adults, including those with chronic pain. The NPRS is a segmented numeric version in which a respondent selects a whole number (0-10 integers) that best reflects the intensity of pain. 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"). The NPRS takes <1 minute to complete The NPRS is a valid and reliable scale to measure pain intensity; High test-retest reliability has been (r = 0.96 and 0.95, respectively) For construct validity, the NPRS was shown to be highly correlated: correlations range from 0.86 to 0.95.

This questionnaire has been designed to give us information as to how your neck pain has affected your ability to manage in everyday life. Every section is marked in each section only the one box that applies to you. We realise you may consider that two or more statements in any one section relate to you, but please just mark the box that most closely describes your problem. Intended population includes: Chronic neck or upper back pain and musculoskeletal neck pain. Scoring: For each section the total possible score is 5: if the first statement is marked the section score = 0, if the last statement is marked it = 5. If all ten sections are completed the score is calculated.

A goniometer is an instrument that measures the available range of motion at a joint. To measure the range of motion physical therapists most commonly use a goniometer. It is necessary that a single notation system is used in goniometry. The neutral zero method (0 to 180- degree system) is the most widely used method. The same goniometer should always be used to reduce the chances of instrumental error.

Inclusion Criteria: Males and Females between 18 and 40 years of age with mechanical neck pain. (symptoms provoked by neck movement and/or palpation of musculature of the cervical region) Chronic mechanical neck pain for more than 3 months. Exclusion Criteria: Cervical radiculopathy Traumatic neck injury History of cervical and thoracic spine surgery Neck pain associated with vertigo Osteoporosis Vertebral Fractures Tumors Pregnancy Diagnosed psychological disorders

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