Search Articles

Home / Articles

Effects of thoracic mobility versus stretching exercise program on pain, range of motion and function in patients of cervical radiculopathy

. Iqra Rehman, Samiya Noreen , Dr Saad Arif, Moquddas Gull, Muhammad Tahir Aslam, Virsha Riaz & Saddiqa Qamar


Abstract

Objective: To determine the effects of thoracic mobility versus stretching exercise program on pain, Range of motion and function in cervical radiculopathy patient.

Method: The randomized control trial (RCT) was conducted at District Headquarters (DHQ) hospital, Bahawalnagar. A total of 44 patients with one sided radicular pain having chronic pain greater than four weeks of age 35-55 years were randomized into two groups. Group A got thoracic mobility and Group B got thoracic stretching exercises while both had the standard physical therapy program, (neck traction, a heated pack, and stretches). Each patient had three treatments each week on alternate days, lasting between 30 and 45 minutes each. Assessments of pain, range of motion, and function using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), goniometer, and Neck Disability Indexes (NDI) were made at three-week and six-week marks to track the effects over the long term.

 Result: Forty-four patients of both sexes, 22 in each of group. Both groups explained significant difference (p< 0.05) for Pain with the mean rank of 17.98 and 27.02 at post treatment of Group A and B respectively. NDI result were also significant (p < 0.05) with mean ± SD of 7.13±3.87 and 8.7±5.1 of Group A and B. There was also significant difference of ROM (<0.05) at post treatment. Follow up assessment also had significant result (p <0.05)

 Conclusion: The study concluded that both mobility and stretching exercises program had same results on pain, disability but stretching exercises were more effective in gaining ROM.

 Keywords: Thoracic spine, Cervical Radiculopathy, Thoracic mobility Exercises, Thoracic stretching exercises, conventional, neck disability index.

Download :