Comparative efficacy of cervical retraction exercises (McKenzie) with and without using pressure biofeedback in cervical spondylosis

Abstract

Aim: To compare the effectiveness of cervical retraction exercises (McKenzie) with or without using pressure biofeedback in reducing pain and disability among patients with cervical spondylosis. Methods: Thirty participants of both genders and aged between 30 and 70 years who were medically diagnosed with cervical spondylosis were included and allocated by randomised sampling into two study groups. Group A were given cervical retraction exercises and Group B were given cervical retraction exercises and instructed to use a pressure biofeedback unit during these exercises. All of the participants in Group A and B were also given moist packs. The outcome measures used both pre- and post-intervention were: the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), which was used to assess for pain, and the Northwick Park Pain Questionnaire (NPQ), which was used to assess for disability. The demographic data collected in the study were the age and symptom duration. Results: The t tests of the post-interventional NPRS scores (P=0.0001*; t=4.5683), and post-intervention NPQ scores (P=0.0001*; t=4.945) showed a statistically significant difference between Group A and Group B. Conclusion: The findings of the study indicates that there was a significant reduction in neck pain and disability in both the groups. However, cervical retraction exercises using pressure biofeedback proved to be better than cervical retraction exercises alone.