Assessment of pain, scapulothoracic muscle strength, endurance and scapular dyskinesis in individuals with and without nonspecific chronic neck pain: A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: This study is aimed to evaluate pain, muscle strength, scapular muscular endurance and scapular kinesis in individuals with Nonspecific Chronic Neck Pain and to compare them with asymptomatic individuals. In addition, to investigate the effect of mechanical changes in the scapular region on neck pain. METHOD: 40 individuals who applied to Kirikkale University Faculty of Medicine Hospital Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Center and diagnosed with NSCNP and 40 asymptomatic individuals for the control group were included the study. Pain was evaluated with Visual Analogue Scale, pain threshold and pain tolerance with algometer, cervical deep flexor group muscle strength with Stabilizer Pressure Biofeedback device, and neck and scapulothoracic muscle strength with Hand Held Dynamometer. Scapular Dyskinesia Test, Scapular Depression Test and Lateral Scapular Slide Test were used to evaluate scapular kinesis. A timer was used to evaluate scapular muscular endurance. RESULT: Pain threshold and pain tolerance values of the NSCNP group were lower (p < 0.05). Muscle strength around neck and scapulothoracic region of the NSCNP group were lower than the asymptomatic individuals (p < 0.05). NSCNP group had more scapular dyskinesia (p < 0.05). Scapular muscular endurance values of the NSCNP group were lower (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: As a result, pain threshold and pain tolerance decreased, muscle strength of the neck region and the scapular region decreased, scapular endurance values decreased and the incidence of scapular dyskinesia increased in the individuals with NSCNP compared to the asymptomatic individuals. It is thought that our study will provide a different perspective in the evaluation of neck pain and including the scapular region to the evaluations.

The effect of aerobic exercise training on postmenopausal patients with knee osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common musculoskeletal problem encountered in the postmenopausal period. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the impact of aerobic exercise on functional limitation, exercise tolerance, and performance tests in postmenopausal women with knee OA. METHODS: A total of 50 women (aged between 48-78) with grade 2-3 knee OA according to the Kellgren-Lawrence radiographic scale were enrolled. OA-specific physical performance tests (40 m Fast-Paced Walk Test (40mFPWT), 30 s Chair Stand Test (30sCST), Stair Climb Test (9-step SCT)), six-minute walk test (6MWT), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were performed. Fifty patients were randomized to either the treatment or control groups. The treatment group received an additional aerobic exercise training along with a combined physiotherapy program for six weeks. The aerobic exercise program was carried out by the same physiotherapist every weekday (five days) for six weeks. The control group only received a combined physiotherapy program for six weeks. RESULTS: The post-treatment comparisons of the two groups yielded similar SCT results (p> 0.05), while VAS scores, the results of all performance tests, WOMAC scores, and the distance covered in 6MWT were significantly higher in the treatment group (p< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Consequently, this study provides an insight into the efficacy of the aerobic exercise program applied along with a combined physiotherapy program in postmenopausal women with knee OA.