Combination of neural mobilization with hot packs Vs traction(ict) with isometric neck exercise in case of cervico-brachial pain syndrome (a RCT)

Abstract

Background: Neck-related pain is a common physical problem with high recurrence and chronicity rates. Smoking, bad posture, anxiety, depression, neck strain, and occupational activity are among the controllable elements that contribute to its multifactorial genesis, which often manifests subtly. NP is a major social burden that is especially common among people who use computers and office professionals.
Objective: The present investigation compared the efficacy of traction with intermittent neck exercises and neural mobilization with hot packs in treating physical neck discomfort.
Methods: Purposive sampling was used to pick 40 volunteers, ages 25 to 50, from AdvancedNeurology and Surgery Hospital in Jaipur for this experimental analysis. Two groups of twenty participants each were formed. While Group B got traction through isometric neck exercises, Group A underwent neural mobilization using hot packs. For four weeks, both groups received therapy once a day. The Neck Disability Index (NDI) and Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) were used to assess pain and functional performance. JASP version 16.0 was used for statistical analysis, and the "T" test was used for both within-group and between-group comparisons.
Results: Descriptive statistics were used to analyse data. Of 40 participants, 21 were males and 19 were females. In Group 1 (neural mobilization with hot packs), NPRS scores improved from a mean of 6.8 (SD=0.951) to 4.35 (SD=0.671) to 2.1 (SD=0.718)(t=21.466, t=22.650, p<0.05), and NDI scores improved from a mean of 27.95 (SD=3.663) to 17.75 (SD=2.673) to 8.5 (SD=1.147) (t=25.842, t=24.15 p<0.05). In Group 2 (traction with isometric neck exercise), NPRS scores improved from a mean of 6.25 (SD=0.91) to 4.1 (SD=0.641) to 1.9 (SD=0.718) (t=19.648, t=23.947, p<0.05), and NDI scores improved from a mean of 27.8 (SD=2.353) to 18.35 (SD=1.843) to 8.75 (SD=1.251) (t=38.453, t=52.303 p<0.05). Between-group comparisons indicated that Group A had significantly greater improvements in NPRS (p<0.05) and NDI scores (p<0.05).
Conclusion: In individuals with physical neck discomfort, neural mobilization with hot packs and traction with isometric neck exercise both successfully decreased pain and enhanced function. However, there were noticeably more gains in pain alleviation and functional results when neural mobilization was combined with hot packs.

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