Effect of Respiratory Muscle Exercises Versus Deep Neck Flexor Training on Pain, Function and Neck Muscle Endurance in Patients With Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain

Neck pain (NP) impacts the cervical motor system, posture, and movement. Motor output of cervical muscles is impaired. Muscles have decreased strength, endurance, and force steadiness and cervical muscle behavior is altered eg., decreased activity of deep postural muscles, reduced directional specificity, delayed onset of muscle responses and muscle fatigability. Patients with neck pain usually present with weak deep neck flexors and extensors, increased fatigability of superficial neck flexors, alterations in posture, limited range of motion, decreased proprioception and other psycho-social affections such as anxiety, depression, kinesiophobia, and catastrophizing. These factors are responsible for the predisposition of respiratory dysfunction in these patients.

Statement of the problem:

This study will be conducted to answer the following question: Does adding respiratory exercises or deep neck flexor training to conventional program have any effect on pain, ROM, cervical muscle endurance, function, and chest expansion?

Significance of the study:

The Global Burden of Disease Study stated that neck pain is globally the fourth largest physical complaint in years lived with a disability. The clinical practice guidelines recommended for patients with CNP interventions are: education, cervical mobilization and manipulation, thoracic manipulation, and mixed exercises for cervical and scapulothoracic regions, or an association of different interventions. Despite the high prevalence and significant impact of chronic neck pain, the optimal exercise-based intervention remains unclear. While previous research has investigated the benefits of conventional physical therapy, there is no study to date comparing the effect of respiratory exercises versus deep neck flexor training while adding to conventional program in the management of chronic neck pain patients. Therefore the current study will be conducted to compare the effectiveness of adding respiratory exercises versus deep neck flexor training to conventional program in patients with chronic neck pain.

Delimitations:

This study will be delimited to:

1. Sixty-six patients of both genders, ranging in age from 18 to 35 years old, with a history of neck pain longer than 3 months (chronic neck pain).
2. There will be three groups of twenty-two patients for each group; Group (A) will receive respiratory exercises in the form of diaphragmatic breathing & respiratory muscle stretch gymnastics plus conventional program in form of TENS, infrared, isometric strengthening and stretching exercises, Group (B) who will receive deep neck flexor training in form of low load craniocervical flexion using feedback from an air-filled pressure sensor placed behind the neck plus conventional program in form of TENS, infrared, isometric strengthening and stretching exercises & Group (C) who will receive combination of respiratory exercises and deep neck flexor training plus conventional program in form of TENS, infrared, isometric strengthening and stretching exercises for two times per week for 8 weeks.
3. Neck pain will be measured by a visual analogue scale (VAS).
4. The ACROM will be measured using a cervical range of motion device.
5. Deep neck flexor endurance of cervical flexion will be assessed with the cranio-cervical flexion test using feedback from an air-filled pressure sensor.
6. Neck function will be assessed with Arabic version of Neck Disability Index (NDI).
7. Chest expansion will be assessed with measuring tape.