Original Research Article
Year: 2020 | Month: March | Volume: 7 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 364-369
Comparison of Manual versus Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilisation of Levator Scapulae in Chronic Neck Pain
Swati Paranjape1, Rajashree Lad2
1Assistant Professor, Physiotherapy Department, Seth GS Medical College, Mumbai, India,
2Postgraduate student, Physiotherapy Department, Seth GS Medical College, Mumbai, India,
Corresponding Author: Swati Paranjape
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Evidence reveals association of chronic neck pain and dysfunction of muscles of cervical spine. Levator scapulae is one among those muscles. Both manual soft tissue mobilization (STM) and instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) have been used in the treatment of dysfunction of muscles but there is dearth of studies comparing both techniques. This study compares both the techniques in improving range of motion (ROM), pain and function in chronic neck pain.
Materials and Methods: 74 participants with chronic neck pain between age group of 18-45 years were divided in two groups- A and B by random allocation. GroupA received manual soft tissue mobilisation (STM) and groupB received instrument assisted soft tissue mobilisation (IASTM) over Levator scapulae. Cervical ROM, pain intensity and functional disability were evaluated pre-treatment and 48 hours post-treatment.
Results: Considering 95% CI for all outcome measures in both groups, manual STM group showed significant improvement in side-flexion ROM (p<0.0001), pain (p<0.0001) and function (p<0.0001). IASTM group showed significant improvement in side-flexion ROM (p<0.0001), pain (p<0.0001) and function (p<0.0001). On comparing mean differences between-group no statistically significant difference was found between both groups for side-flexion ROM (p=0.6900), flexion ROM (p>0.9999), pain (p=0.3213) and function (p=0.3957)
Conclusion: Both Manual STM and IASTM are effective in improving ROM, pain and function in chronic neck pain. There is no statistically significant difference in effectiveness of both techniques. Therefore any of the techniques may be used according to treating therapist’s skills and availability of required instruments.
Keywords: Manual Soft Tissue Mobilisation, Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue mobilisation, Chronic Neck Pain, Neck Disability, Levator scapulae
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