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Neck and scapula-focused exercise training on patients with non-specific neck pain: a randomized controlled trial
Yildiz TI, Turgut E, Duzgun I
Journal of Sport Rehabilitation 2018 Sep;27(5):403-412
clinical trial
5/10 [Eligibility criteria: Yes; Random allocation: Yes; Concealed allocation: No; Baseline comparability: Yes; Blind subjects: No; Blind therapists: No; Blind assessors: Yes; Adequate follow-up: No; Intention-to-treat analysis: No; Between-group comparisons: Yes; Point estimates and variability: Yes. Note: Eligibility criteria item does not contribute to total score] *This score has been confirmed*

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of additional 6-week scapular stabilization training in patients with non-specific neck pain (NNP). MATERIALS AND METHOD: Thirty patients with non-specific neck pain were randomly allocated to the study. Fifteen participants in the intervention group (IG) received neck-focused exercise and scapular stabilization training while 15 participants in the control group (CG) received neck-focused exercise training. All groups were evaluated at baseline and after 6-week rehabilitation. The pain intensity on the neck was measured with the visual analog scale (VAS). The self-reported disability status was measured with the Neck Disability Index (NDI). 3-dimensional scapular kinematics were recorded during dynamic shoulder elevation trials with using electromagnetic tracking device and data were further analyzed at 30 degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees, and 120 degrees of humerothoracic elevations. RESULTS: Comparisons revealed that regardless of the received treatment, after 6-week training both groups revealed significant improvements in VAS (p < 0.001) and NDI (p < 0.001) score. Both VAS and NDI outcomes had large effect size of r = 0.618, r = 0.619 respectively. For scapular kinematics, there were no group differences especially for scapular upward-downward rotation and anterior-posterior tilt (p > 0.05). However, in the IG group, the scapula was more externally rotated at 120 degrees degree humerothoracic elevation (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Findings of this study showed that both manual therapy and active interventions including neck-focused exercise and scapular stabilization training are effective in decreasing pain and disability level in patients with NNP. More comprehensive studies with longer follow-up durations are needed to better understand the potential effects of scapular stabilization training in patients with NNP.
Copyright Human Kinetics. Reprinted with permission from Human Kinetics (Champaign, IL).

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