Efficacy of sustained natural apophyseal glides mulligan technique on mobility and function in patients with cervical spondylosis: An experimental study

Background: Cervical spondylosis is a degenerative condition that affects the joints and discs of the cervical spine. Symptoms include pain associated with a positional fault in the joint with resultant subtle biomechanical changes, such as joint restriction and stiffness. Sustained natural apophyseal glides (SNAGS) Mulligan technique shows a direct effect on the facet joints, helping to correct the positional fault and correct the biomechanical changes. Objective: The objective of the study is to find the efficacy of SNAG Mulligan technique on pain, mobility, and functional disability in patients with cervical spondylosis. Materials and Methods: Forty subjects with cervical spondylosis were selected on the basis of selection criteria. The pain intensity was measured using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), the cervical range of motion (ROM) was measured using the universal goniometer, and the functional disability was measured using the neck Bournemouth Questionnaire (BQ). Patients were randomly assigned to two Groups A and B. Group A (n = 20) received SNAG Mulligan technique along with conventional treatment and Group B received transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and isometric neck exercises (conventional treatment) alone. Results: Group A had significant improvements in NPRS (Z = 25.754, P = 0.001), cervical ROM flexion (Z = 17.085, P = 0,001), extension (Z = 17.962, P = 0.001), side flexion (Rt) (Z = 16.520, P = 0.001), side flexion (Lt) (Z = 16.998, P = 0.001), right rotation (Z = 15.379, P = 0.001), left rotation (Z = 13.180, P = 0.001), and neck BQ (Z = 22.912, P = 0,001) compared to Group B. Conclusion: The study concludes that patients who received SNAG Mulligan technique showed better improvement in pain reduction, cervical ROM, and functional disability than the control group.