Riassunto dello studio

Eighty patients (n=80) with non-specific neck pain and thoracic hyperkyphosis were randomized to receive a 10-week multimodal program of physical pain relief methods, spine manipulation, myofascial release, and therapeutic exercise alone (n=40) or combined with thoracic traction using an orthotic device (n=40). The primary outcome of interest was the thoracic kyphosis angle, neck disability and pain intensity, head repositioning error (HRE), biodex balance index, and the smooth pursuit neck torsion test (SPENT). Outcomes were measured upon completion of the 10-week program and at a 1-year follow-up. The results revealed significantly favourable thoracic kyphosis angle, neck disability index scores, pain intensity scores, and biodex balance index scores at both 10 weeks and 1-year follow-up in the intervention group. HRE in right rotation was superior in the intervention group at 1-year, and in left rotation was superior in the intervention group at both 10 weeks and 1-year follow-up vs. control. SPENT test results were superior in the intervention group at 1-year follow-up only.