T he C omparison of Neuromuscular Facilitation Exercises and Traditional e xercise t herapy p rograms in the t reating of P atients with c hronic

  n on -s pecific n eck p ain

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  A. Rezasoltani [1] , M. Khaleghifar [2] , A. Tavakoli [3] , A.R. Ahmadipour ³

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  Received: 21/01/08 Sent for Revision: 10/05/08 Received Revised Manuscript: 28/02/09 Accepted: 10/03/09

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  Background and Objectives: Many therapeutic exercise programs like isometric exercises have been recommended to treat patients with chronic neck pain. The aim of this study was to detect and compare the effectiveness of neuromuscular facilitation exercise (NFE) and traditional neck exercise therapy (TET) on the treatment of patients with chronic non-specific neck pain (CNNP).

  m aterials and Methods : In this randomized control trial study, thirty-one patients (16 males, mean age 35.6 years old and 15 females, mean age 36.9 years old) with CNNP participated. The patients were all bank employees. Patients were randomly assigned into the treatment groups (Group NFE, n= 11 and Group TET, n= 10) and a control group (group C, n = 10). The control group was instructed to care about their correct position while working and during activities of daily living. Neck muscle strength was measured using an isometric neck muscle strength measurement device, and neck pain was assessed using visual analogue scale.

  Results : The strength of neck extensor and flexor muscles were improved up to 24.6% and 21.5% in NFE group and 13.8% and 11.1% in the TET group respectively. The mean percentage differences of pain were 78.1% in the NFE group and 31.3% in TET group. Only minor changes occurred in the control group (1.5%, 2.6% and 5.9%).

  Conclusion: Neuromuscular facilitation exercise�therapy program used in this study appeared to be a more effective method than the traditional one for restoring neck muscle strength and in reduceing pain in patients with chronic non-specific neck pain. This program may be a useful method to reduce pain and disability in patients with non-specific neck pain.

  Key words: Neuromuscular Facilitation Exercise, Traditional Exercise, Chronic Neck Pain

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  Funding: This research was partly funded by Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences.

  Conflict of interest: None declared

  Ethical approval: The Ethics Committee of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences approved the study.

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  [1] - Associate Prof., Dept. of Rehabilation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

  (Corresponding Author) Tel: (021) 77561723, Fax: (021) 77561409, E-mail: arezasoltani@yahoo.com

  [2] - BSc, Dept. of Rehabilation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

  [3] - MSc , Dept. of Rehabilation, Behzisti Physiotherapy Clinic, Sirjan, Iran