Effects of upper thoracic joint mobilization on dynamic stability of patients with chronic neck pain

Abstract

[Purpose]The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of upper thoracic joint mobilization on the dynamic stability of patients with chronic neck pain. [Subjects]The subjects of this study were 37 patients diagnosed with chronic neck pain. They were divided into a group for joint mobilization after conservative physical therapy (JCPTG, n=19) and a self-stretching group after conservative physical therapy (SCPTG, n=18). [Methods] To see changes in dynamic stability, we analyzed and compared images using a picture archiving and communication system (PACS). [Results] Over the course of the treatment period, decreases in pendular movements (PM) and translational movements (TM) appeared between the JCPTG and SCPTG. Between the JCPTG and SCPTG, there were no significant differences in PM during flexion and extension and in TM during flexion before the treatment, although there were statistically significant differences at four weeks and eight weeks. There was no significant difference in TM of extension in any case. [Conclusion]We consider that upper thoracic joint mobilization is an effective intervention for the dynamic stability of patients with chronic neck pain.