Effect of diaphragmatic breathing, respiratory muscle stretch gymnastics and conventional physiotherapy on chest expansion, pulmonary function and pain in patients with mechanical neck pain: A single group pretest-posttest quasi-experimental pilot study.

BACKGROUND: There is evidence that mechanical neck pain results in respiratory dysfunction. Physiotherapy management for mechanical neck pain is well documented but the evidence regarding inclusion of breathing strategies to improve pulmonary functions in mechanical neck pain patients is scarce.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the combined effect of diaphragmatic breathing, respiratory muscles stretch gymnastics (RMSG) and conventional physiotherapy on chest expansion, pulmonary function and pain in patient with mechanical neck pain.

METHOD: Thirteen patients with mechanical neck pain (18-35years) with neck pain history of ≥ three months and NPRS (numeric pain rating scale) score ≥3 were recruited for this single group pre pretest-posttest quasi experimental pilot study. Informed consent was taken from all participants. After initial screening and assessment, diaphragmatic breathing, RSMG (5 patterns) and conventional physiotherapy (hot pack and TENS for 10 min) were given for one week. Chest expansion, spirometry (FEV1, FVC, FEV1 /FVC, PEFR), NDI (neck disability index) and NPRS were assessed on baseline and after one week following the intervention.

RESULTS: The normality of data was tested by using Shapiro-wilk test and the data was found to be normally distributed. Paired t-test was used to compare the baseline and post intervention values. Diaphragmatic breathing, RMSG and conventional physiotherapy had significant effect on chest expansion, FEV1 , NPRS and NDI in patients with mechanical neck pain.

CONCLUSION: The rehabilitation strategies should emphasize breathing exercises to improve the lung function and pain scores in addition to conventional physiotherapy in rehabilitation of mechanical neck pain patients.