Abstract
BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the short- and intermediate-term effects of the combined application of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) techniques and neuromuscular exercises of the cervical and thoracic area on the improvement of the functionality of patients with mechanical neck pain and accompanying forward head posture (FHP).MethodsTwenty patients with neck pain and FHP were randomized and received eight treatment sessions of either targeted IASTM in combination with neuromuscular exercises (Group A) or a classical massage and the same set of exercises (Group B). The cervical vertebral angle (CVA), cervical range of motion (ROM) and strength, pain (visual analogue scale-VAS), and neck disability index (NDI) were measured throughout the treatment period and in the two- and four-week post-treatment periods.ResultsThe combined application of IASTM and neuromuscular exercises contributed to a significantly greater improvement in CVA (Group A: + 7,2 deg vs Group B: + 1,1 deg) and NDI (Group A:-25,2 vs Group B:-5,8) than massage and the application of the same exercises. Both interventions improved cervical ROM and strength in the short term. Pain was also significantly improved in both groups in both the short (Group A VAS: − 5,97 vs Group B VAS: − 3,1) and intermediate term (Group A VAS:-5,5 vs Group B:-1,5).ConclusionsCombining IASTM and exercises for the cervical and thoracic area can induce positive postural adaptations and improve the functional status of neck pain patients.Trial registrationISRCTN, ISRCTN54231174. Registered 19 March 2020 - Retrospectively registered.
Highlights
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short- and intermediate-term effects of the combined application of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) techniques and neuromuscular exercises of the cervical and thoracic area on the improvement of the functionality of patients with mechanical neck pain and accompanying forward head posture (FHP)
The inclusion criteria included female patients with a diagnosis of mechanical neck pain syndrome from a medical orthopaedic doctor and pain symptoms lasting over 3 months accompanied by FHP based on a cranioverterbral angle (CVA) of < 50°
The results showed significant improvement in the mean FHP while sitting, and was higher in Group B after the eighth treatment session (Group A), which received IASTM and corrective exercises, than in Group B, which received a massage and the same exercises
Summary
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short- and intermediate-term effects of the combined application of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) techniques and neuromuscular exercises of the cervical and thoracic area on the improvement of the functionality of patients with mechanical neck pain and accompanying forward head posture (FHP). Cervical pain syndrome is a pathological manifestation with a high epidemiological incidence rate [1, 2] resulting from many aetiological factors. These factors include muscle strains or ligament sprains, pathological adaptations of the cervical soft tissues and poor posture [3]. Therapeutic exercise in the form of neuromuscular retraining is one of the most important therapeutic interventions for the treatment of cervical pain, as it can improve the mobility of structures, increase muscle strength and ligament tensile strength and prevent tendon injuries [9, 10]
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