Background: One of the most frequent causes of
musculoskeletal pain in the general population is cervicalgia,
sometimes known as neck pain. Its estimated prevalence ranges from
16.7% to 71.5 percent, and it should be noted that up to 50% of these
cases may develop into chronic conditions. In this study, patients with
persistent mechanical neck pain were examined to determine the
effectiveness of trunk core training exercises on pain, range of motion,
functional impairment, and muscle activity. Purpose: The goal of the
study was to determine the impact of adding core training to patients'
existing conventional treatments for chronic mechanical neck pain.
Methods: Twenty male and twenty female patients with persistent
mechanical neck pain, ranging in age from 18 to 40, participated in
this study. The cases were classified into two equal groups randomly
(A and B). Group A has got standard physiotherapy program (Passive
stretching of the upper fibers of trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, and
scalene muscles, Isometric strengthening exercises of neck muscles,
hot pack). Group B has obtained standard physiotherapy program in
addition to trunk core training program. Results: When the two
groups were evaluated, it was found that both groups had statisticallynoticeable decreases in VAS, NDI, and sternocleidomastoid and
scalenus anterior activity after treatment compared to pre-treatment
(p > 0.001). Both groups’ post-treatment upper trapezius activity and
total neck range of motion were statistically clearly higher than they
were pre-treatment (p > 0.001). Following treatment, a comparison
between the groups showed a statistically decrease in group B’s VAS,
NDI, and right and left sternocleidomastoid activity (p < 0.001). In
favor of group B after treatment, there was a statistically significant
increase in neck range of motion and the activity of the right and left
upper trapezius (p < 0.001). Although there was no statistically
significant difference in the activity of the right and left scalenus
anterior between the groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Based on the
study's objectives and results, it was determined that core training
programs for the trunk, in addition to conventional treatment, were
superior to conventional treatment alone in improving VAS, NDI, neck
range of motion, right and left sternocleidomastoid activity, and upper
trapezius activity in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain |
