Efficacy of neck stabilization exercises for neck pain: A randomized controlled study
From: J Rehabil Med. 2009 Jul;41(8):626-31
To determine the efficacy of neck stabilization exercises in the management of neck pain, sixty patients with neck pain were randomized to 3 groups, as follows: group 1 – physical therapy agents including transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, continuous ultrasound and infra-red irradiation; group 2 – physical therapy agents plus isometric and stretching exercises; and group 3 – physical therapy agents plus neck stabilization exercises. The neck exercises were performed as a home training programme following a 3 week supervised group exercise. The patients were evaluated with a visual analogue scale, by intake of paracetamol, Neck Disability Index, Beck Depression Scale and range of motion in the 3 planes at baseline and at months 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12
Compared with baseline, all neck pain groups showed a significant decrease in visual analogue scale scores during the first 6 months. However, this improvement was maintained only in group 3 (physical therapy agents plus neck stabilization exercises) at 9 and 12 months, with a significant difference among the groups. This study demonstrates the superiority of the neck stabilization exercises, with some advantages in the pain and disability outcomes, compared with isometric and stretching exercises in combination with physical therapy agents for the management of neck pain.
