Effectiveness of Muscle Energy Technique with and without Strain Counter Strain Technique in Individuals with Non-Specific Neck Pain - A Pilot Study from Aurangabad, India

Abstract

BACKGROUND Evidence till date indicates high incidence of neck pain, and soft tissue techniques [muscle energy technique (MET), strain counter strain (SCS)] have proven to be effective for non-specific neck pain (NSNP). However, their comparative effect is yet to be proven, hence the present study attempted to investigate the comparative effectiveness of MET with SCS techniques in individuals with NSNP. METHODS Total 10 participants diagnosed with NSNP were included in the study. They were allocated into two groups utilizing convenient sampling. Group A received MET with SCS technique and Group B received MET with conventional physiotherapy. The interventions were given for 2 weeks, 3 sessions per week for 45 minutes. The outcome measures used in the study were numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), neck disability index (NDI), range of motion (ROM) which were assessed before the intervention immediately after the first session and at 1st week and end of 2nd week. RESULTS Intragroup comparison found to be significantly reduced in terms of pain and neck disability index and improvement in cervical range of motion (P = < 0.05). However intergroup comparisons showed significant difference in Group A only at the end of 2nd week of intervention (P = < 0.05), but the results were not significant immediately and at the 1st week of intervention (P = > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The study concluded that MET with SCS technique is more effective in reducing pain, neck disability and improving cervical range of motion. KEY WORDS MET, SCS, NSNP