The effect of scapular muscles training using a suspension system in patients with non-specific chronic neck pain and scapular dyskinesia: a randomized clinical trial

Purpose: Non-specific chronic neck pain (NSCNP) is a major health problem. Scapular dyskinesia is one of the contributing factors to NSCNP. The suspension-type of exercise is a relatively new method used in rehabilitation of scapular dysfunction. The purpose of this pretest post- test randomized clinical trial was to study the effects of scapular muscles training using a prefabricated suspension system on improving pain, function, scapular muscle strength, and scapular position in subjects with non-specific chronic neck pain and scapular dyskinesia. Materials and methods: This was a quasi-experimental two groups pre-posttest clinical trial performed at an outpatient clinic. Fifty-two patients diagnosed with NSCNP, and scapular dyskinesia participated in this study. Their mean age was 24.46 5.32 years. They were randomized to receive either stretching exercises and manual scapular resistance (group A) or stretching exercises and scapular training using a prefabricated suspension system (group B). Researchers measured pain intensity using the numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), function using the neck disability index (NDI), scapular muscle strength using a handheld dynamometer, and scapular stability using the lateral scapular slide test (LSST). Twelve sessions were given to the individuals over a period of six weeks, and pre- and post-intervention outcome measures were evaluated. Results: Mann-Whitney test demonstrated no statistically significant difference between the two groups after the intervention in terms of pain relief, functional improvement, or scapular stability (p>0.05). On the other hand, there was a statistically significant difference between groups in favor of group B who received suspension- type exercise regarding improvement in scapular muscle strength (p<0.05). Conclusion: While superiority of one intervention cannot be concluded due to lack of a control group, using suspension type of exercise can be beneficial in improving the scapular muscle strength as compared to traditional exercise therapy, while both methods have similar effect on pain, function, and scapular stability in patients with NSCNP and scapular dyskinesia.