A Comparison of the Effects of Stabilization Exercises Plus Manual Therapy to Those of Stabilization Exercises Alone in XXXX With Nonspecific Mechanical Neck Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

@entity1 @entity717 @entity4048 @entity158
UNASSIGNED: Study Design Randomized clinical trial. Background Little is known about the efficacy of providing manual therapy in addition to cervical and scapulothoracic stabilization exercises in @entity1 with @entity4048 ( @entity4048 ). Objectives To compare the effects of stabilization exercises plus manual therapy to those of stabilization exercises alone on disability, @entity158 , range of motion (ROM), and quality of life in @entity1 with @entity4048 . Methods One hundred two @entity1 with @entity4048 (18-65 years of age) were recruited and randomly allocated into 2 groups: stabilization exercise without (n = 51) and with (n = 51) manual therapy. The program was carried out 3 days per week for 4 weeks. The Neck Disability Index, visual analog @entity158 scale, digital algometry of pressure @entity158 threshold, goniometric measurements, and Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey were used to assess @entity1 at baseline and after 4 weeks. Results Improvements in Neck Disability Index score, night @entity158 , rotation ROM, and the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey score were greater in the group that received stabilization exercise with manual therapy compared to the group that only received stabilization exercise. Between-group differences (95% confidence interval) were 2.2 (0.1, 4.3) points for the Neck Disability Index, 1.1 (0.0, 2.3) cm for @entity158 at night measured on the visual analog scale, -4.3   (-8.1  , -0.5  ) and -5.0   (-8.2  , -1.7  ) for right and left rotation ROM, respectively, and -2.9 (-5.4, -0.4) points and -3.1 (-6.2, 0.0) points for the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey physical and mental components, respectively. Changes in resting and @entity158 , pressure @entity158 threshold, and cervical extension or lateral flexion ROM did not differ significantly between the groups. Pressure @entity158 threshold increased only in those who received stabilization exercise with manual therapy (P<.05). Conclusion The results of this study suggest that stabilization exercises with manual therapy may be superior to stabilization exercises alone for improving disability, @entity158 intensity at night, @entity717 motion, and quality of life in @entity1 with @entity4048 . Level of Evidence Therapy, level 1b. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2016;46(2):44-55. Epub 11 Jan 2016. doi:10.2519/jospt.2016.5979.
