Riassunto dello studio

Forty patients with neck pain were randomized to undergo a scapula and thoracic spine stabilization exercise program alone (n=20) or in combination with lower trapezius strengthening (n=20). The scapula and thoracic spine stabilization program consisted of 3 programs of scapula setting, upper trapezius stretching, and thoracic spine extension using a foam roller. The lower trapezius strengthening exercise program consisted of modified prone cobra, trapezius muscle exercise progression, and wall slide exercises. Interventions were performed 3x per week for 4 weeks. The outcomes of interest included pain assessed using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), function using the Neck Disability Index (NDI), the craniovertebral angle (CVA), the cranial rotation angle (CRA), muscle thickness in contraction and in resting, and contraction rate. The results of this study demonstrated that NDI, CVA, CRA, muscle thickness in contraction, and contraction rate were all statistically significantly improved in the experimental group compared to the control (p<0.05 for all).