"Maitland Mobilization Or TENS: Which Works Best For Chronic Neck Pain"

Abstract

Background: Chronic neck pain is a prevalent condition that affects a significant portion of the population, leading to decreased quality of life and functional limitations. Various treatment modalities, including manual therapy and electrotherapy, are employed to alleviate symptoms. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of Maitland mobilization, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), and conventional physiotherapy in managing chronic neck pain.

Methods: This randomized controlled trial involved 150 participants diagnosed with chronic neck pain, aged between 25 and 65. The participants were randomly assigned to three groups: Maitland Mobilization (MM) group, TENS group, and Conventional Physiotherapy (CP) group. Each group underwent 12 treatment sessions over six weeks. Pain intensity, cervical range of motion (ROM), and functional disability were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), goniometry, and the Neck Disability Index (NDI), respectively, at baseline, after the treatment, and at a three-month follow-up.

Results: All three groups showed significant improvement in pain reduction, ROM, and functional disability after the intervention (p < 0.05). However, the Maitland Mobilization group demonstrated a more substantial reduction in VAS scores (mean reduction of 3.8 ± 1.2) compared to the TENS group (mean reduction of 2.5 ± 1.4) and the Conventional Physiotherapy group (mean reduction of 2.2 ± 1.5). Similarly, improvements in cervical ROM and NDI scores were more pronounced in the Maitland Mobilization group, with a mean increase in ROM of 15.3° ± 5.1° and a mean NDI reduction of 21.6% ± 7.4%.

The TENS group also showed significant improvements compared to the Conventional Physiotherapy group.

Conclusions: Maitland Mobilization appears to be more effective than TENS and conventional physiotherapy in managing chronic neck pain, resulting in greater pain relief, improved range of motion, and reduced disability. These findings suggest that Maitland Mobilization should be considered a preferred treatment option for chronic neck pain. Future studies are recommended to explore the long-term effects and potential mechanisms behind these therapeutic benefits.

This abstract effectively summarizes the key elements of the study, providing a clear understanding of the research focus, methodology, and outcomes.