Effect of Global Postural Re-Education and Static Stretching on Pain and Disability in Women with Chronic Non-Specific Neck Pain- A Comparative Study

Abstract

Background: Women are more likely to develop and suffer from chronic non specific neck pain than men.Cervical muscle imbalance is considered an important factor to cause chronic non specific neck pain anddisabilities during work, sport or daily activities. GPR is an option to manage postural deviations, treatingaches and pains. The principal aim is to restore correct alignment of posture and re-establish body mechanicsof the body movement to treat or prevent musculoskeletal problems.Objective: To Compare the effect of GPR and Static stretching on pain and disability in women with chronicnon-specific neck pain.Methods: 64 female patients with chronic non-specific neck pain aged 18 to 35 years were randomly dividedinto two equal groups: GPR group and Static Stretching group. Both groups also received conventionaltherapy. Patients were evaluated before and after 4 week intervention for pain intensity (by means VAS), andfor disability (by means of NDI). The treatment program consisted 3 sessions of 1-hour individual per weekfor 4 weeks. Data were statistically analyzed at a significance level of p<0.05.Conclusion: Statistically significant reduction in VAS and NDI were observed after 4 week interventionin both groups. However there were no significant differences observed between groups in this outcomemeasures. Global postural Re-education and Static stretching, in association to conventional therapy, wereequally effective in reducing pain and disability in women with chronic non specific neck pain.