BACKGROUND: Neck pain is an important cause of disability. In spite of its high prevalence rate, treatment of the disorder is a challenging topic. Stabilization exercise has been the topic of many studies. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of stabilization and routine exercises on chronic neck pain. METHODS: Forty patients were randomly assigned into either stabilization or routine exercise groups and undertook a 10-week training program. Electromyographic (EMG) activity was recorded from Sternocleidomastoid (SCM), Anterior Scalene (AS) and Splenius Capitis (SC) muscles bilaterally. Endurance time of deep flexor muscles was measured by chronometer. Pain and disability were measured using visual analogue scale (VAS) and neck disability index (NDI) questionnaire, respectively before and after training period. RESULTS: Findings revealed significant decreased pain and disability in both groups after intervention (p < 0.001). Flexor muscles endurance of stabilization group was significantly increased compared with that of routine (p < 0.001). Also EMG activity of SCM, AS and SC muscles were significantly decreased in stabilization group compared with routine (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Increased deep flexor endurance and decreased EMG activity of SCM, AS and SC muscles suggest an important role for stabilizing exercises on reducing the activity of superficial muscles in chronic neck pain.

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