Year: 2026 | Month: January-March | Volume: 11 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 195-208
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijshr.20260121
Effect of Deep Cervical Flexors Training Versus Specific Neck Muscles Training in Subjects with Chronic Neck Pain
Sikhakolli Komali1, Rayudu Geetha Mounika2, Patchava Apparao3, Chintada Ganapathi Swamy4
1MPT Orthopaedics, Department of Orthopaedics, GSL College of Physiotherapy, Dr. NTR University, Vijayawada, India.
2Professor, Department of Orthopaedics, GSL College of Physiotherapy, Dr. NTR University, Vijayawada, India.
3Principal, Department of Orthopaedics, Swatantra Institute of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Dr. NTR University, Vijayawada, India.
4Professor of Biostatistics, Department of Biostatistics, GSL Medical College, Dr. NTR University, Vijayawada, India
Corresponding Author: Sikhakolli Komali
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Chronic Neck Pain is a common condition and one of the leading causes of disability that results in pain, functional impairments, and loss in proprioception. The objective of the study was to compare the Effect of Deep cervical flexors training with Specific neck muscles training on reducing pain and improving function and proprioception in subjects with Chronic neck pain.
METHODS: Quasi Experimental Study Design. This study includes 80 subjects clinically diagnosed with Chronic neck pain were randomly allocated into 2 groups. In group A (n=40) subjects were treated with Deep cervical flexors training whereas Group B (n=40) received Specific neck muscles training. Participants were treated for 8 weeks.
RESULTS: Baseline comparisons showed no significant differences between groups (p>0.05). Following 8 weeks of intervention both groups demonstrated improvement; however, Group A showed significantly greater post-test improvements. Post test VAS scores were lower in Group A (1.56±0.64) compared to Group B (2.29±0.74)(p=0.0001). NDI scores improved more in Group A (8.6±2.5) than in Group B (11.5±2.8) (p=0.0001). JPE-FLEXION scores improved more in Group A (1.96±0.34) compared to Group B (5.09±0.94)(p=0.001). JPE-EXTENSION scores improved more in Group A (1.71±0.34) compared to Group B (3.67±1.46) (p=0.001)
CONCLUSION: After 8 weeks of training both the groups showed significant improvement. Deep Cervical Flexors Training Group was found to be more effective when compared to Specific Neck Muscles Training Group.
Keywords: chronic neck pain, deep cervical flexors training, specific neck muscles training, visual analogue scale, neck disability index, joint position error test