title: Immediate effects of active versus passive scapular correction on pain and pressure pain threshold in patients with chronic neck pain.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of active vs passive scapular correction on pain and pressure pain threshold at the most symptomatic cervical segment in patients with chronic neck pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-three volunteers with chronic, idiopathic neck pain were recruited (age, 38.9 ± 14.4 years; sex [man/woman], 3/20; Neck Disability Index, 28.1% ± 9.9%). Subjects were randomly allocated to 2 groups: active scapular correction or passive scapular correction. Pressure pain threshold and pain intensity rated on a numerical rating scale during a posteroanterior glide over the most symptomatic cervical segment were measured before and immediately after the active or passive scapular intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only the active scapular correction produced a reduction in pain (pre, 6.3 ± 1.2; post, 3.7 ± 2.4; P < .05) and increase in pressure pain threshold (pre, 8.7 ± 4.2 kg/cm(2); post, 10.1 ± 3.8 kg/cm(2); P < .05) at the most painful cervical segment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An active scapular correction exercise resulted in an immediate reduction of pain and pressure pain sensitivity in patients with chronic neck pain and scapular dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: PhD student, Department of Physiotherapy, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lluch
authors.affiliation: Lecturer/Researcher, Department of Physiotherapy, University CEU Cardenal Herrera, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Maria Dolores
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Arguisuelas
authors.affiliation: Professor, Pain Clinic, Center for Anesthesiology, Emergency and Intensive Care Medicine University Hospital Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Otilia
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Calvente Quesada
authors.affiliation: Lecturer/Researcher, Department of Physiotherapy, University CEU Cardenal Herrera, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Estibaliz
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Martínez Noguera
authors.affiliation: Lecturer/Researcher, Department of Physiotherapy, University CEU Cardenal Herrera, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Peiró Puchades
authors.affiliation: Lecturer/Researcher, Department of Physiotherapy, University CEU Cardenal Herrera, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: José A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Pérez Rodríguez
authors.affiliation: Professor, Pain Clinic, Center for Anesthesiology, Emergency and Intensive Care Medicine University Hospital Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany. Electronic address: deborah.falla@bccn.uni-goettingen.de.
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Falla
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001931:Brain Mapping; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D026882:Manipulation, Chiropractic / Q000379:methods*; D008349:Manipulation, Orthopedic / Q000379:methods*; D020393:Manipulation, Spinal / Q000379:methods*; D015915:Motion Therapy, Continuous Passive / Q000379:methods*; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D058748:Pain Perception / Q000502:physiology; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000502:physiology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011312:Pressure; D012540:Scapula; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Exercise; Intervention; Neck Pain; Randomized Trial; Scapula