Comparison of effectiveness of Mulligan mobilization technique and cervical stabilization training in patients with chronic neck pain: a single-blinded randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the current study was to compare the effectiveness of Mulligan mobilization technique (MMT) and cervical stabilization training (CST) in patients with chronic neck pain.

Methods

Thirty-six patients with chronic neck pain were randomly assigned to three groups as control, MMT, and CST groups. In the current study, pain intensity, range of motion (ROM), proprioception, head posture, deep neck flexor (DNF) muscle endurance, disability level, and neck awareness were evaluated as outcome measures.

Results

All variables showed statistically significant changes following treatment in all groups. MMT and CST were found to be more effective than home exercise regimen (control group) in pain intensity (p=0.001), DNF muscle endurance (p=0.0001), and disability level (p=0.007) but they were not superior to each other. MMT was found to be more effective in increasing ROM (p=0.0001) and neck awareness (p=0.018). Also, CST was found to be more effective in improving head posture (p=0.0001) and proprioception (p=0.001).

Conclusion

The study indicated MMT was more effective in increasing ROM and neck awareness, and the CST was more effective in improving head posture and proprioception. Comprehensive perspective can be acquired for health professionals in this field to select the appropriate rehabilitation approaches for patients with chronic neck pain thanks to our results.

Zusammenfassung

Ziel der Studie

Ziel der vorliegenden Studie ist es, die Wirksamkeit der Mulligan-Mobilisierungstechnik (MMT) und des zervikalen Stabilisierungstrainings (CST) bei Patienten mit chronischen Nackenschmerzen zu vergleichen.

Methodik

36 Patienten mit chronischen Nackenschmerzen wurden nach dem Zufallsprinzip drei Gruppen zugeteilt: Kontrollgruppe, MMT-Gruppe und CST-Gruppe. In der vorliegenden Studie wurden Schmerzintensität, Bewegungsbereich (ROM), Propriozeption, Kopfhaltung, Ausdauer der tiefen Nackenbeugemuskulatur (DNF), Behinderungsgrad und Nackenbewusstsein als Ergebnismaße ausgewertet.

Ergebnisse

Alle Variablen zeigten nach der Behandlung in allen Gruppen statistisch signifikante Veränderungen. Es wurde festgestellt, dass MMT und CST hinsichtlich Schmerzintensität (p=0,001), DNF-Muskelausdauer (p=0,0001) und Behinderungsgrad (p=0,007) wirksamer waren als die Kontrollgruppe, aber sie waren einander nicht überlegen. MMT erwies sich als wirksamer bei der Steigerung des ROM (p=0,0001) und des Nackenbewusstseins (p=0,018). Außerdem erwies sich CST als wirksamer bei der Verbesserung der Kopfhaltung (p=0,0001) und der Propriozeption (p=0,001).

Schlussfolgerung

Die Studie ergab, dass MMT wirksamer bei der Steigerung des ROM und des Nackenbewusstseins war und CST wirksamer bei der Verbesserung der Kopfhaltung und der Propriozeption. Dank unserer Ergebnisse können Gesundheitsfachkräfte in diesem Bereich eine umfassende Perspektive gewinnen, um die geeigneten Rehabilitationsansätze für Patienten mit chronischen Nackenschmerzen auszuwählen.

Keywords

exercise - manual therapies - neck pain - pain management - physical therapy techniques - proprioception

Schlüsselwörter

Bewegung - manuelle Therapien - Nackenschmerzen - Schmerzbehandlung - physikalische Therapietechniken - Propriozeption

Publication History

Article published online:
16 June 2025

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