COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF SCAPULAR STABILIZATION VERSUS SCAPULAR FUNCTIONAL EXERCISES ON CHRONIC NECK PAIN

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effects of scapular stabilization versus scapular functional exercises on pain severity, neck function and cervical range of motions in patients with chronic neck pain.

Study design: It was a randomized clinical experiment.

Place and duration of study: The study setting was Amina Physical therapy and Rehab Centre Lahore The study completed in a period of eight months, from July 2023 to december 2024.

Methods: Data collected from the Amina Physical therapy and Rehab Centre Lahore, after inclusion exclusion criteria 42 participants by the process of randomization 21 participants included in Group A and 21 participants were included in Group B. Both Males and females between 18 to 35 years were selected for study. After selection group A received scapular stabilization exercises along with the conventional treatment of hot pack and ultrasound and Group B received Scapular functional exercises along conventional physical therapy. The participants were examined at the beginning of treatment, then at 4th week and again at 8th week for 3 sessions per week for eight weeks for visual analogue scale, neck disability index and cervical range of motions.

Results: In this study 42 participants included by randomization, after criteria and drop off 39 participants were analyzed in two groups 20 in A and 19 in B group with the mean age and standard deviation(25.20 ±4.62) and mean age and standard deviation(25.26± 3.76) respectively. For normality used Shapiro-wilk test, after this applied parametric test for analysis. Across the group comparison determined by independent t-test they showed statistical non-significance with p-value>0.05 for pain and disability. Within the group analysis showed statistical significance between group A and Group B cervical range of motions as p-value<0.001.

Conclusion: The study concluded both groups were effective on pain, neck function and cervical range of motions but scapular functional exercises were more effective in improving cervical range of motions as compared to scapular stabilization exercises.