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.

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