Immediate effect of thoracic distraction thrust versus upper thoracic crossed hand manipulation in mechanical neck pain

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The aim is to compare the immediate effect of thoracic spine distraction thrust and upper thoracic crossed hand manipulation on pain, range of motion, and disability in individuals with mechanical neck pain. METHODS: A randomized clinical trial was conducted on 40 individuals of mean age 27.35 ± 6.78 with mechanical neck pain. Individuals were allocated to one of the two groups. Group A (n = 20) received thoracic spine distraction thrust and Group B (n = 20) received upper thoracic crossed hand manipulation. Both the groups were also given Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), hot moist pack, stretching, and exercises. The outcome measures used were the Numerical pain Rating (NPR) scale, cervical ranges, and Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire (NPQ). The outcome measures were assessed pre- and post-intervention. RESULTS: The data were statistically analyzed using an independent t-test for comparing the two groups and dependent t-test for comparison of pre and post of each group. Pre- and post-mean difference values in Group A were 2.00 ± 0.86 and 11.13 ± 5.39, for NPR scores and NPQ scores. Whereas, in Group B, pre- and post-mean difference values were 2.00 ± 0.73 and 10.54 ± 10.05 for NPR scores and NPQ scores. In Group A and Group B, there was improvement seen in cervical ranges. The comparison within groups showed a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) in all the outcome measures in both Groups. There was no significant difference seen when between-group comparisons were done in all outcome measures. CONCLUSION: Thoracic spine distraction thrust and upper thoracic crossed hand manipulation, both were seen to be effective in pain, ranges, and disability.