McKenzie Exercises for Chronic Neck Pain: Stabilization vs. Non-Stabilization

NCT ID: NCT05838794

Last Updated: 2023-08-24

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 76 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2023-04-21
• Study Completion Date: 2023-08-06

Brief Summary

PURPOSE: To compare the effects of mckenzie exercises plus stabilization exercise to those of mckenzie exercises alone on disability, pain, range of motion (ROM) in patients with nonspecific chronic neck pain (NSCNP).

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the efficacy of providing mckenzie exercises in addition to cervical and scapulothoracic stabilization exercises in people with NSCNP.

HYPOTHESES We hypothesize that there will be no significant effect of adding stabilization exercises to mckenzie exercises than mckenzie exercises alone in patients with NSCNP.

RESEARCH QUESTION: Is there a statistically significant effect of adding stabilization exercises to mckenzie exercises on outcomes of patients with NSCNP?

Conditions

Neck Pain; Cervical Pain

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Mckenzie exercise for neck

Participants in the McKenzie exercise for neck group will receive a six-week exercise program that includes the McKenzie exercise protocol for neck pain. The program will consist of three 30-45 minute sessions per week, for a total of 18 sessions over six weeks. The exercises will be performed under the supervision of a physiotherapist in the outpatient clinic. The McKenzie exercise protocol for neck pain involves a series of movements that aim to reduce pain and improve range of motion in the cervical spine. The exercises are tailored to each participant's individual needs and may include sustained postures, repeated movements, and mobilization techniques. Participants will be instructed to perform the exercises at home as well, as part of a home exercise program, to ensure that they are performing the exercises correctly and consistently. Participants in this group will not receive any additional stabilization exercises.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Mckenzie exercise for neck

Intervention Type: OTHER

The McKenzie protocol will be used to manage extension, rotation, and lateral flexion dysfunctions in patients with non-specific neck pain. An experienced physical therapist will perform the protocol 3 times a week for 6 weeks, tailoring exercises to each patient's individual needs based on limited and painful directions of movement. Exercises include retraction, extension, rotation, lateral flexion, and overpressure techniques. Patients will receive education on posture and body mechanics, and exercises will be progressed over time as the patient improves.

Mckenzie ex for neck + Stabilization exercise for

Participants in the McKenzie exercises for neck with cervical and scapulothoracic stabilization exercises group will receive a six-week exercise program that includes the McKenzie exercise protocol for neck pain and cervical and scapulothoracic stabilization exercises, performed under the supervision of a physiotherapist in the outpatient clinic. The program consists of three 30-45 minute sessions per week for a total of 18 sessions over six weeks. Participants will perform the McKenzie exercise protocol for neck pain first, followed by cervical and scapulothoracic stabilization exercises. Stabilization exercises aim to improve strength, endurance, and neuromuscular control of the cervical and scapulothoracic muscles. Participants will be instructed to perform the exercises at home as part of a home exercise program to ensure proper technique and consistency. This group receives both the McKenzie exercise protocol for neck pain and cervical and scapulothoracic stabilization exercises.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Mckenzie exercise for neck

Intervention Type: OTHER

The McKenzie protocol will be used to manage extension, rotation, and lateral flexion dysfunctions in patients with non-specific neck pain. An experienced physical therapist will perform the protocol 3 times a week for 6 weeks, tailoring exercises to each patient's individual needs based on limited and painful directions of movement. Exercises include retraction, extension, rotation, lateral flexion, and overpressure techniques. Patients will receive education on posture and body mechanics, and exercises will be progressed over time as the patient improves.

Stabilization exercise

Intervention Type: OTHER

Cervical and scapulothoracic stabilization exercises will be performed by an experienced physical therapist 3 times a week for 6 weeks, with each session including a warm-up, stabilization exercises, and cool-down and stretching exercises. Postural education will be provided using mirrors to find a neutral balanced position, and the cervical bracing technique with deep neck flexor activation will be used to stabilize the cervical spine. Upper extremity range of motion exercises and cervical dynamic isometric exercises with elastic resistive bands will also be performed. Scapulothoracic stabilization exercises will include specific exercises for muscles affecting scapular orientation related to neck pain, using latex bands with mild or medium tension.

Interventions

Mckenzie exercise for neck

The McKenzie protocol will be used to manage extension, rotation, and lateral flexion dysfunctions in patients with non-specific neck pain. An experienced physical therapist will perform the protocol 3 times a week for 6 weeks, tailoring exercises to each patient's individual needs based on limited and painful directions of movement. Exercises include retraction, extension, rotation, lateral flexion, and overpressure techniques. Patients will receive education on posture and body mechanics, and exercises will be progressed over time as the patient improves.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Stabilization exercise

Cervical and scapulothoracic stabilization exercises will be performed by an experienced physical therapist 3 times a week for 6 weeks, with each session including a warm-up, stabilization exercises, and cool-down and stretching exercises. Postural education will be provided using mirrors to find a neutral balanced position, and the cervical bracing technique with deep neck flexor activation will be used to stabilize the cervical spine. Upper extremity range of motion exercises and cervical dynamic isometric exercises with elastic resistive bands will also be performed. Scapulothoracic stabilization exercises will include specific exercises for muscles affecting scapular orientation related to neck pain, using latex bands with mild or medium tension.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

1. Ages between 30 and 50 years

2. Localized chronic neck pain without an exact etiology

3. Absence of any arm pain or discomfort that could be replicated by neck mobility or irritant assessment

4. Pain exists in the dorsal area, between two horizontal lines: the first line passes through 5) the lower half of the occipital area, and the second line runs through the spinous process of the first dorsal vertebra

Exclusion Criteria

1. Neck pain caused by any other complications, such as a neoplasm, neurological diseases, or vascular diseases

2. History of neck surgery or fracture

3. Serious medical conditions that could affect participation in the study, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, or autoimmune disorders

4. Use of medication that could affect neck pain or exercise tolerance, such as opioids, muscle relaxants, or corticosteroids

5. Participation in other treatments or interventions for neck pain during the study period

6. Inability to understand or comply with study procedures or interventions, such as language barriers or cognitive impairment

• Minimum Eligible Age: 30 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 50 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Ahram Canadian University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Mohamed Magdy ElMeligie

Lecturer of Physical Therapy and Director of Electromyography Lab

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Amal Fawzy, Ph.d

Role: STUDY_CHAIR

Faculty of Physical Therapy, Ahram Canadian University

Locations

Outpatient clinic of faculty of physical therapy, Ahram Canadian University

Al Ḩayy Ath Thāmin, Giza Governorate, Egypt

Countries

Egypt

Other Identifiers

012/004222

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id