Review article
https://doi.org/10.24141/1/3/1/9
A Comparison of Two Physiotherapy Treatment Approaches for Nonspecific Neck Pain
Tomislav Rumbak
orcid.org/0000-0003-2260-3200
; Special Hospital for Medical Rehabilitation Krapinske Toplice, Croatia
Olivera Petrak
orcid.org/0000-0002-8238-3038
; Department of Health Psychology, University of Applied Health Sciences, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Neck pain is one of the most common pain sensation caused by long-term head restraint in one position, long-lasting stereotypic activity, reduced physical activity and stress. Pain is associated with restricted rang of neck motion and postural balance difficulties, especially in chronic state. There are numerous methods of treating nonspecific neck pain, but evidence of their effectiveness is still lacking.
The aim of this study was to determine efficacy of two different physiotherapy approaches to pain reduction, increasing sagittal, frontal and transverse mobility index and balance improvement in patients with nonspecific neck pain.
Research was conducted in Special Hospital for Medical Rehabilitation Krapinske Toplice, and 30 patients were included. Half of them were treated by physiotherapist through the methods of soft tissue manipulation, traction and neck mobilisation (relax group). The other group of fifteen participants was educated for performing static strength exercises and breathing exercises for relaxation (isometric group). Observed variables were range of motion, pain and balance measured before and after 15-day therapy. Sample included 80% of women and 20% of men, with an average age of 55.6 years in isometric group, and 52.4 years in relax group. There is no significant difference between two groups in age, gender, or others criteria of interest.
Prior to therapy there is severe pain, range of neck motion is limited, and one legged maintaining balance last shortly, where there is no significant difference between the groups. The results after the therapy show positive changes, with very large effect size: both methods have a significant effect on pain reduction, improvement in neck mobility in all observed planes, and on results in “One-leg balance” test and „Timed Up and Go“ test. There is no significant interaction between the groups for any of the observed criteria.
There were significant difference between two groups in frontal flexibility, and in right leg balance: isometric group achieved significantly bigger improvement. Both therapeutic methods were effective for decreasing neck difficulties and improving the condition of patients with nonspecific neck pain, and there are sporadic indicators that static strength and breathing exercises are more effective.
Keywords
nonspecific neck pain; range of neck motion; manipulation and mobilisation for neck pain; isometric neck exercises
Hrčak ID:
183320
URI
Publication date:
26.6.2017.
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