Outcomes of scapulothoracic mobilisation in patients with neck pain and scapular dyskinesis: A randomised clinical trial

OBJECTIVES: The perceived outcomes of scapulothoracic mobilisation with movement (MWM) in patients with neck pain and scapular dyskinesis remain unclear. This study aimed to examine the effects of adding scapulothoracic MWM to the corrective exercise and taping regimen in patients with neck pain and scapular dyskinesis. METHODS: Forty participants with neck pain and scapular dyskinesis were randomly assigned to one of two 3-week regimens: experimental (scapulothoracic MWM + corrective exercises + tape) or comparison (corrective exercises + tape). The visual analogue scale, pressure pain threshold (PPT), cervical and scapular range of motion (ROM), and neck disability index (NDI) were measured at the start and after the third and sixth sessions. RESULTS: Pain decreased after the sixth session in both experimental (mean difference: 3.1; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.1–4.1) and comparison (mean difference: 1.8; 95% CI: 0.81–2.8) groups. Although there was no change in PPT and scapular ROM, scapular upward rotation decreased significantly only in the comparison group in the sixth session (p = 0.014). The ROM for neck extension, right rotation, and right and left side bending improved significantly (p ≤ 0.031) in both groups. The NDI improved in both the experimental (mean difference: 7.2–10.6; 95% CI: 2.5–15.7) and comparison (mean difference: 5.9–10.3; 95% CI: 1.2–15.4) groups. There were no significant differences in outcomes between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the addition of scapulothoracic MWM to the corrective exercise and taping regimen over a 3-week period did not increase pain or improve function in patients with neck pain and scapular dyskinesis.