Effect of Age and Gender on Treatment Outcomes Following Stabilization Exercises in Individuals with Non-Specific Neck Pain

BackgroundNon-specific neck pain (NSNP) is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal disorders worldwide and isassociated with pain, functional limitation, reduced productivity, and diminished quality of life. Stabilizationexercises are widely used in conservative physiotherapy to improve cervical stability, neuromuscular control,and functional performance. However, limited evidence exists regarding whether demographic factors suchas age and gender influence treatment outcomes following stabilization exercises.ObjectiveTo determine the effect of age and gender on treatment outcomes following stabilization exercises inindividuals with chronic non-specific neck pain.MethodsThis secondary analysis utilized data from a randomized controlled trial involving 60 individuals withchronic non-specific neck pain. Participants underwent either cervical stabilization or scapular stabilizationexercises for 3 weeks. Pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and functionaldisability using the Neck Disability Index (NDI). Treatment outcomes were compared according to agegroup and gender using paired t-tests, independent t-tests, and one-way ANOVA, with statistical significanceset at p < 0.05.ResultsThe mean age of the participants was 28.62 ± 6.41 years, and 55% were male. Significant improvementswere observed following the intervention in both pain intensity (VAS: 6.48 ± 1.16 to 4.92 ± 2.34; meanimprovement 1.57 ± 2.02; p < 0.001) and functional disability (NDI: 25.87 ± 5.13 to 16.45 ± 6.61; meanimprovement 9.42 ± 6.19; p < 0.001). Female participants demonstrated numerically greater improvementsthan males; however, no statistically significant gender differences were observed for VAS (p = 0.103) orNDI (p = 0.569). Similarly, treatment outcomes did not differ significantly among age groups for VAS (p =0.243) or NDI (p = 0.183).ConclusionStabilization exercises significantly reduced pain and improved functional disability in individuals withchronic non-specific neck pain. Neither age nor gender significantly influenced treatment outcomes,suggesting that stabilization exercises are effective across adult patients aged 18–40 years regardless ofdemographic characteristics.