Abstract

Background: Neck pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders second to low back pain associated with chronic pain, restricted range of motion and muscular imbalance. Generally, the physiotherapy methods for mechanical neck pain consist of stretching and strengthening the neck muscles, cervical stabilization exercises, cervical mobilization exercises, thoracic thrust manipulation, ischemic compression on trigger points, kinesio-taping method and electrotherapy. The Pilates method is a system of exercise program that aims for body awareness through harmonization of body and mind which has been widely used to enhance physical fitness and rehabilitation in general.
Purpose: The purpose of the study was to find out whether Pilates and conventional therapy can bring better results in treating chronic mechanical neck pain when compared to conventional therapy alone.
Methods: 60 patients were selected randomly with mechanical neck pain. The study included 2 groups, control group and experimental group, the outcomes measures included Numerical rating pain scale (NRPS), Neck flexors endurance test (NFET) Neck disability index (NDI), Cervical range of motion (CROM). Independent “t” test was done for inter group analysis and paired t-test was done for intra group analysis.
Results: Both the groups showed significant difference (P-0.000<0.05) at 12 weeks. The mean difference and paired t-test values of experimental group was greater when compared to control group at the end of 12 weeks.
Conclusion: significant improvement was seen in both the groups in NPRS, NDI, NFET, ROM, but early improvement was noted in experimental group in terms of function when compared to conventional group after 12 weeks of treatment.

Keywords: Mechanical neck pain; Pilates; NPRS; NDI; NFET; IFT