The effectiveness of two different treatment approaches in individuals with chronic non-specific neck pain: a randomized control trial

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The aim of this study is to examine the effectiveness of conventional treatment and mobilization exercises in individuals with chronic nonspecific neck pain (CNNP). A total of 28 patients enrolled in the study. The Mobilization group (MG) completed a 4-week combined conservative physiotherapy and cervical mobilization program, whereas the control group (CG) received only the 4 weeks of conservative physiotherapy. Pain severity according to the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used as primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were included the Bourdon Attention Test (BAT), Beck Anxsiety Scale (BAS), range of motion (ROM), muscle strength. All outcomes were assessed both prior to and following the treatment. In 2-way mixed-design repeated-measures ANOVA analysis, when the change in time was analyzed between the groups (Group*Time [interaction]), a statistical difference was found for the VAS (p = .000, ηp2 = .007), BAT score ( p = .001, ηp2 = .082), BAS ( p= .000, ηp2 = .001), ROM flexion (p= .000, ηp2 = .104), ROM extansion (p= .000, ηp2 = .076), ROM right rotation (p= .006, ηp2 = .033), ROM left rotation (p= .05, ηp2 = .006), ROM right lateral flexion (p= .000, ηp2 = .060), ROM left lateral flexion (p= .002, ηp2 = .019), muscle strength flexion (p= .000, ηp2 = .008), muscle strength extansion (p= .000, ηp2 = .019), muscle strength right rotation (p= .000, ηp2 = .012), muscle strength left rotation (p= .000, ηp2 = .001), muscle strength right lateral flexion (p= .000, ηp2 = .001) and muscle strength left lateral flexion (p= .000, ηp2 = .011) parameters in favour of MG. Cervical mobilization produced a significant benefit to recovery of pain, ROM, muscle strength, attention and anxiety outcomes of patients with CNNP when added to a conventional CNNP physical therapy program.