| Abstract [eng] |
The Effects of Different Physiotherapy Programs on Functional Status and Quality of Life in Patients with Neck Pain The aim of research work. To compare the effect of two different physiotherapy programs on functional status and quality of life of patients with neck pain. Tasks of work: 1. To evaluate and compare alterations in functional status of patients with neck pain under different physiotherapy programs. 2. To evaluate and compare alterations in quality of life of patients with neck pain under different physiotherapy programs. Materials and methods: The research was conducted in the Department of Ambulatory Rehabilitation in the Centre of Rehabilitation, Physical and Sports Medicine of Vilnius University Hospital Santariškių Klinikos during November 2016 – March 2017. In total, the study enrolled 40 patients diagnosed with cervical spine pain. Subjects were classified into case (n=20) and control (n=20) groups using simple random sampling. Physiotherapy with Dr. Wolff equipment for strengthening neck and shoulder muscles, and isometric exercises with Theraband elastic resistance bands for strengthening neck muscles were applied on the case group. The control group performed stretching and dynamic exercises using either bodyweight or additional devices (sticks, balls, weight bars) for strengthening neck, shoulder and arm muscles. Patients of both groups had ten physiotherapy treatment sessions, each lasting 30 minutes. Before and after the research patients‘ functional status was evaluated measured isometric neck and shoulder muscle strength was assessed using Back-check by Dr. Wolff; cervical range of motion was measured using inclinometer; pain intensity was determined using visual analog scale for pain; quality of life was evaluated using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Neck Disability Index (NDI); and, lastly, habitual physical activity was measured using the Baecke questionnaire. In order to conduct statistical analysis of research data, MS Excel 2010 and SPSS for Windows 23 were used. Results: The research showed significant increase (p<0.05) in isometric neck and shoulder muscle strength, neck range of motion and pain intensity in both case and control groups after different physiotherapy programs were applied. The obtained values of the ODI and NDI were also significant (p<0.05). On the basis of a comparison between the case group and the control group statistically significant correlations (p<0.05) were determined after evaluating the following parameters: isometric muscle strength of left-right shoulder abduction, pain intensity based on NDI, as well as reading. Conclusions. 1. Both physiotherapy with isometric exercises and Dr. Wolff equipment, and dynamic exercises proved to be an effective for functional status. Both treatment groups statistically significant improvement the isometric strength of neck and shoulder muscles, neck range of motion and of decreasing neck and shoulder pain (p<0.05). However, isometric exercises and exercises with Dr. Wolff equipment were more effective for strengthening the isometric strength of muscles involved in shoulder abduction than dynamic exercises (p<0.05). 2. Statistically reliable results were obtained when assessing patients‘ quality of life using the ODI and the NDI after different physiotherapy programs (p<0.05). Nonetheless, by separately analyzing the section scores of NDI questionnaire, statistically significant results (p<0.05) between the two groups were determined for the following parameters: reading of the group, which performed isometric exercises and exercises with Dr. Wolff equipment; pain intensity of the group, which performed dynamic exercises for strengthening neck and shoulder muscles. |
