Effectiveness of Manual Therapy Versus Electrotherapy in Patients with Neck Pain Due to Poor Posture –A non-randomized trial

Abstract

Background: Neck pain has become increasingly common in families and individuals. Due to prolong bending of cervical spine the following structure are compromised shoulders ,  scapular, thoracic spine that leads to flexion deformity of upper segment and extension deformity of lower cervical spine. The overuse of the muscles causes muscular imbalances. Objective: The main objective of this study was to determine the comparative effectiveness of manual therapy versus electrotherapy in patients with neck pain due to poor posture. Methodology: The data was collected from different Physiotherapy Clinics of Lahore. The study was completed in four months after the approval. The sample size was 40 participants. The participant’s male and females patients, age range 18-45 years. Numeric Pain rating score of 3 from last 3 months with forward head posture were included. In group a manual therapy (Post-isometric stretching, Jones technique) were used. .A portable digital TENS model BE-660 was used with frequency 80Hz, intensity level 6(strong but comfortable) in Group B. Outcome was assessed using Numeric pain rating, Goniometry and Neck disability index (NDI). The data was analyzed using SPSS Version 16. Paired t test and independent sample t test was used for within and between group analysis. Results:  In group A 6(30%) were underweight and 2(10%) were overweight whereas in group B 10(50%) were under weight and 1(5%) was obese with a mean age of 29.5±8.23. This study showed that study variables were not statistically significant at the time of baseline. In both groups, pre post mean difference of pain, neck disability index, neck flexion (and neck extension was statistically significant. The mean value of pain and neck disability index of both groups were statistically significant at the end of study Conclusion: The current study shown that both treatment strategies including manual therapy and electrotherapy play a significant role in treating the patients with chronic neck pain due to poor posture. Key words: Manual therapy, Electrotherapy, Patients, Neck pain, Posture, Exercise, Neck disability, Range of Motion