Effects of the Neck Stabilization Exercises with Vibratory Stimulation on the Neck Disability Index and Thickness of Deep Neck Flexor in Neck Pain Patient

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of neck stabilization exercises with vibratory stimulation on the neck disability index and thickness of the deep neck flexor. METHODS: Thirty subjects (control group=15, experimental group=15) with mild neck pain were enrolled in the study. The control group underwent craniocervical flexion exercise (control group, CG) and the experimental group was given craniocervical flexion exercise with vibratory stimulus (experimental group, EG) (3 sets, 3 times per week for 6 weeks). To examine the effects of exercise, the subjects were evaluated using the neck disability index (NDI), the thickness of the deep neck flexor muscle, and muscle strength. An independent and paired t-test were used to compare the effects of the exercise between the groups. RESULTS: The NDI score of the two groups increased significantly after 6 weeks of treatment (p < 0.001) and there was a significant difference between the EG group at 3 weeks (p < 0.05) and 6 weeks (p < 0.01). The thickness of the deep neck flexor in the CG group increased significantly after 6 weeks of treatment in all pressure stages (p < 0.001). The EG group showed a significant increase after 3 and 6 weeks of treatment in all pressure stage (p < 0.001), and 22 mmHg, a significant difference between 3 and 6 weeks (p < 0.05) and among 24, 28, and 30 mmHg at 6 weeks (p < 0.05). The maximum muscle strength of the deep neck flexion muscles increased significantly in the two groups after 6 weeks of treatment (p < 0.001) and there was significant difference between the EG group at 6 weeks (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Craniocervical flexion exercise with vibratory stimulus decreases the NDI, and increases the thickness of the deep neck flexor and maximum muscle strength of the deep neck flexion muscles in patients with mild neck pain.