Effect of Scapular-Focused Interventions on Pain and Disability in Neck Pain With Mobility Deficits: A Randomized...

This study aimed to determine the isolated effect of scapular-focused interventions in individuals with neck and mobility deficits on pain and disability.

A total of 108 subjects with neck pain with mobility deficits were randomly allocated into two groups using block randomization. The experimental group received scapular-focused interventions (targeting the lower trapezius, middle trapezius, and serratus anterior), and the control group received neck-focused interventions (neck strengthening exercises). Both groups received 6 weeks of supervised treatment and 6 weeks of unsupervised treatment. Pain, disability, and pressure pain threshold (PPT) were assessed at baseline, 6 weeks and 12 weeks. A repeated measure generalized linear model with group as the between-subject factor and time as the within-subject factor was used for statistical analysis, with post hoc Tukey's tests used for pairwise comparisons.

Pain and disability significantly improved over time (p < 0.001, ηp² = 0.87-0.95, large effect) in both groups. No significant group × time interaction was observed for either pain (p = 0.10) or disability (p = 0.154). PPT following the isolated scapular interventions exhibited a greater improvement in PPT at the levator scapulae and upper trapezius compared to the neck exercise group. This was observed at postintervention and follow-up periods, with a significant group × time interaction (p < 0.001). PPT of the spine improved significantly over time in both groups. No significant effect of age or sex was observed on pain or disability.

The findings of the study suggest that isolated scapular-focused interventions are equally effective in reducing pain and disability and significantly better in improving PPT in individuals with neck pain and mobility deficits compared to neck exercises alone.

Clinical Trials Registry-India: CTRI/2021/10/037543.