title: Role of manual therapy with exercise regime versus exercise regime alone in the management of non-specific chronic neck pain.
abstract: To evaluate the role of manual therapy with exercise regime versus exercise regime alone in the management of non-specific chronic neck pain. In this 62 subjects randomized controlled trial 31 subjects in group A received manual therapy (manipulation) with supervised exercise regime whilst 31 subjects in group B performed only supervised exercise regime for the period of 3 weeks. Both groups had a home exercise program consisted of strengthening exercises for neck/scapuluar stability, stretching and general range of motion exercises for neck with advice regarding posture awareness and correction for 3 months. The results suggested significant reduction in pain intensity level in both groups; over 3 weeks and 12 weeks' time period in relation to baseline on visual analog scale (p=0.001). Similarly, statistically significant improvements noticed in Neck Disability Index (NDI) (p=0.0001) in both groups while looking at baseline data with reference to 12 weeks' time period. On closer inspection, the manual therapy (manipulation) with exercise regime appeared as a favorable treatment preference compared with exercise regime alone.
authors.forename: Saeed
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akhter
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Syed Shahzad
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.affiliation: Depart. of Physiotherapy, Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Rabial Rani
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Soomro
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026201:Musculoskeletal Manipulations; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000628:therapy*