Comparative Effectiveness of Physiotherapy Techniques for Cervical Spondylosis Management
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Background: Cervical spondylosis is a prevalent degenerative condition affecting the cervical spine, characterized by neck pain, stiffness, and reduced functional mobility. With increasing prevalence among younger populations due to sedentary lifestyles and prolonged screen time, effective non-surgical interventions are crucial. Objective: This study evaluates the comparative effectiveness of four physiotherapy techniques - Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) Stretching, Muscle Energy Techniques (MET), Mulligan Mobilization, and Deep Cervical Flexion Strengthening Exercises - in reducing pain, improving range of motion (ROM), and enhancing muscle strength in patients with cervical spondylosis. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 100 participants (aged 18-65 years) diagnosed with cervical spondylosis. Participants were randomly assigned to four groups (n=25 each), receiving their respective intervention three times weekly for 4 weeks. Outcome measures included Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, goniometer measurements for ROM, manual muscle testing for strength, and Neck Disability Index (NDI) for functional assessment. Results: All four groups demonstrated significant improvements (p<0.05) in pain reduction, ROM enhancement, and muscle strength gains. PNF Stretching showed the most substantial reduction in pain (mean VAS reduction: 4.2 points) and ROM improvement (average increase: 28°), while Deep Cervical Flexion Strengthening Exercises demonstrated the greatest increase in muscle strength (average improvement: 35%). MET and Mulligan Mobilization showed moderate but significant improvements across all parameters. Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of tailored physiotherapy interventions for cervical spondylosis management. PNF Stretching is most effective for pain relief and flexibility enhancement, while Deep Cervical Flexion Strengthening provides optimal muscle strengthening benefits. A multimodal approach combining these techniques may offer comprehensive therapeutic advantages.
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