Randomized trial compares thoracic spine mobilization plus physiotherapy to physiotherapy alone in individuals with neck pain, suggesting significant benefits from mobilization.
Key Points
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of thoracic spine mobilization combined with physiotherapy in individuals suffering from mechanical neck pain.
Seventy-nine participants with mechanical neck pain were randomized into trial and control groups.
Participants underwent 12 treatment sessions over 4 weeks, with assessments at baseline and post-treatment.
Outcome measures included Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), cervical range of motion (ROM), McGill pain questionnaire, and Neck Disability Index (NDI).
The trial group showed a significant reduction in VAS and NDI scores, along with increased cervical flexion ROM.
Within group analysis indicated clinically significant improvements in pain intensity, ROM, and NDI.
McGill pain characteristics were significantly reduced in both groups as per mixed analysis.