Effects of Transverse Thoracic Mobilization With and Without Lower Trapezius Strengthening Exercises

Effects of Transverse Thoracic Mobilization With and Without Lower Trapezius Strengthening Exercises on Pain, Disability and Range of Motion in Patients With Mechanical Neck Pain

Mechanical neck pain is a common musculoskeletal problem, worldwide. Patients with neck pain often have subjective complaints of muscle stiffness, tension, or tightness in addition to their pain located between the occiput and the third thoracic vertebra Approximately 68% of the total population has experienced neck pain at least once in their lifetime, and it easily transforms into a chronic state (that persists for more than 3 months). In today's society, this is conspicuous in many laborers due to the increased use of computers, where the neck and shoulders are maintained in static abnormal postures to look at the computer screens and become vulnerable to cause neck pain. The aim of the study is to determine the comparative effects of transverse thoracic mobilization with and without lower trapezius strengthening exercises on pain, disability and range of motion in patients with mechanical neck pain.

A Randomized controlled trial will be conducted in physiotherapy outpatient department of Syed Medical Complex and Islam Hospital, Sialkot. Non-probability consecutive sampling will be used to collect the data. Sample size of 20 subjects with age group between 18 to 40 years will be taken. Data will be collected by using tools Numeric Pain Rate Scale (NPRS) for pain, Neck Disability Index (NDI) for disability and Universal Goniometer (UG) for range of motion of neck. An informed consent will be taken. A total of 20 subjects will be selected by following inclusion and exclusion criteria and will equally divided in to two groups by random number generator table. Both groups will come thrice per week for a total of 4 weeks. The data will be analyzed using SPSS software version 25. 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 the age range of 18-40 years with mechanical neck pain for at least 3months.
• Examination- Symptoms provoked by neck movement and/or palpation of neck musculature.
• Trapezius Strength Test -To assess lower trapezius muscle strength, patient in prone with shoulder 120 degree abducted and resist the shoulder extension diagonally.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Osteoporosis
• Tumors
• Vertebral fractures
• Diagnosed psychological disorders
• Neck pain associated with vertigo
• History of cervical and thoracic spine injury
• Cervical radiculopathy
• Traumatic neck injury
• Shoulder surgery