Effects of scapular stabilization exercises in patients of chronic neck pain with scapular dyskinesis: A quasi-experimental study

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of scapular stabilization exercises in patients with chronic neck pain and scapular dyskinesis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This single-center, prospective study included a total of 36 patients (17 males, 19 females; mean age: 41±12.8 years; range, 25 to 57 years) with chronic neck pain and scapular dyskinesis between April 2018 and September 2018. The patients were randomly assigned to three treatment groups. Group 1 (n=13) consisted of those receiving scapular stabilization exercises by a physiotherapy specialist control in addition to the routine physiotherapy and rehabilitation program; Group 2 (n=12) consisted of those receiving the routine physiotherapy and rehabilitation program in addition to scapular stabilization exercises in-home training program; and Group 3 (n=11) consisted of those receiving the routine physiotherapy and rehabilitation program alone. The assessments were made using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire (NPQ). RESULTS: Significant differences were found in the pre- and post-treatment VAS scores, and Group 1 and Group 2 created this significant difference (p<0.05). A significant difference was also observed in the pre- and post-treatment NPQ scores among the groups (p<0.05). Group 1 showed the most significant improvement of the NPQ scores (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our study results suggest that addition of scapular stabilization exercises to the routine physiotherapy components may be an effective method for improving pain and functional results.