Efficacy of Cervical Stabilization Exercises on Hand Grip Strength in Chronic Myofascial Neck Pain

Cairo University (CU)

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Chronic Neck Pain

Treatments: Procedure: cervical stabilization exercises and integrated neuromuscular technique.

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06468904

P.T.REC/012/004710

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to examine effect of cervical stabilization exercises on hand grip strength, key pinch strength, pain intensity, pain pressure threshold and hand function in chronic myofascial neck pain patients.

Full description

Myofascial pain of the trapezius is considered one of the main causes of neck pain and characterized by deep, intense pain of the skeletal muscles and their fascia and by the presence of one or more MTrPs, Although MTrPs can be formed in any muscle or muscle group, previous studies concluded that the upper trapezius(UT) muscle is the most commonly affected muscle.

Considering the role of synergistic function of the UT muscle in scapula-humeral rhythm during shoulder movement, it is not surprising that MTrPs in UT muscle can result in shoulder dysfunction and disability. Muscle activity of proximal parts is necessary for activation of distal parts. In fact, the stable activity of distal parts needs controlling the proximal parts. Thus, the stability of shoulder girdle is required for activity of distal parts such as fingers, wrists and elbows. In addition, trigger points in the UT can affect grip strength, which depends on shoulder joint and scapular stability. Thus, UT muscle dysfunction can reduce grip strength.

However, little research has been carried out to determine the therapeutic effects of cervical stabilization exercises on chronic neck pain, and up till now, there is a gap in literature to explore efficacy of cervical stabilization exercises on chronic neck pain and hand grip strength. Therefore, this study aims to investigate whether cervical stabilization exercises has an effect on hand grip strength in chronic myofascial neck pain.

Enrollment: 52 estimated patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 20 to 45 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. Chronic neck pain for more than 3 months.
2. Active MTrPs in the UT muscle with a tender nodule.
3. Constant neck pain, a jump sign during palpation of UT muscle.
4. Referred pain.
5. Symptoms of ipsilateral hand muscles weakness.

Exclusion criteria

1. Signs of severe pathology such as malignancy of the cervical area.
2. Fractures of the cervical spine.
3. Cervical radiculopathy or myelopathy.
4. Diabetes.
5. Trauma, congenital anomalies and surgery around neck, shoulder and hand.
6. Fibromyalgia or vascular syndromes such as vertebra-basilar insufficiency.
7. Pregnancy.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

---

52 participants in 2 patient groups

cervical stabilization exercises and integrated neuromuscular inhibition technique

Experimental group

Description:

patients received cervical stabilization exercises and integrated neuromuscular inhibition technique for 3 sessions / week for 4 weeks. Cervical stabilization included chin tucks, isometric holds, ball squeeze. Integrated neuromuscular inhibition technique included: 1. ischemic compression: therapist applied an intermittent ischemic compression on upper trapezius trigger point by thumb for 90sec. 2. Strain counter-strain: therapist applied pressure at trigger point. patient's head was laterally flexed towards the affected side passively by one hand of the therapist. The other hand held the subject's forearm and moved the affected shoulder to 90degree of abduction and external rotation for 90 secs. 3. Muscle energy technique: patient laterally flexed the neck to opposite side patient was moved the stabilized shoulder and ear towards each other. The contraction was maintained for 10 sec followed by 5 seconds of relaxation. The muscle was stretched for 30 secs.

Treatment:

Procedure: cervical stabilization exercises and integrated neuromuscular technique.

Integrated neuromuscular inhibition technique

Active Comparator group

Description:

patients received integrated neuromuscular inhibition technique for 3 sessions / week for 4 weeks.it included Ischemic compression, Strain counter-strain and muscle energy technique. 1. ischemic compression. therapist applied an intermittent ischemic compression on upper trapezius trigger point by thumb for 90 sec. 2. Strain counter-strain: therapist applied pressure at trigger point. patient laterally flexed towards the affected side passively by one hand of the therapist. The other hand held the subject's forearm and moved the affected side shoulder passively to 90degree of abduction and external rotation for 90 secs. 3. Muscle energy technique: patient was asked to laterally flex the neck to opposite side. patient was requested to move the stabilized shoulder and ear towards each other. The contraction was maintained for 10 sec followed by 5 seconds of relaxation. The muscle was stretched for 30 secs.

Treatment:

Procedure: cervical stabilization exercises and integrated neuromuscular technique.