Effectiveness of McKenzie exercises plus stabilization exercises versus McKenzie exercises alone on disability, pain, and range of motion in patients with nonspecific chronic neck pain: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Chronic nonspecific neck pain is a common disorder that causes disability and reduced quality of life. Effective conservative treatment options are needed to manage this condition. OBJECTIVE: This randomized trial compared the efficacy of McKenzie exercises alone versus McKenzie plus cervical and scapulothoracic stabilization training for patients with chronic nonspecific neck pain. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in an outpatient physical therapy clinic. 76 patients with chronic (> 3 months) neck pain were randomized to 6 weeks of either McKenzie exercises alone (n= 38) or McKenzie plus stabilization exercise (n= 38). The McKenzie protocol included posture correction, range of motion exercises, and lateral neck stretches. The stabilization program added targeted exercises for the neck and scapula. RESULTS: The combination of McKenzie plus stabilization exercises resulted in significantly greater reduction in current neck pain intensity compared to McKenzie alone at 6 weeks (mean difference: -1.2 points on 0-10 scale, 95% CI -1.8 to -0.6; p< 0.001). Neck disability improved in both groups. Cervical range of motion also improved more with the addition of stabilization, except for extension. CONCLUSION: Adding specific cervical and scapulothoracic stabilization exercises to a standard McKenzie protocol led to clinically meaningful reductions in neck pain compared to McKenzie therapy alone in patients with chronic nonspecific neck pain. This combined approach can improve outcomes.

Different Continuous Training Intensities Improve Echocardiographic Parameters, Quality of Life, and Functional Capacity in Heart Failure Patients with Reduced Ejection Fraction.

Background: Multiple comorbidities and physiological changes play a role in a range of heart failure conditions and influence the most effective approach to exercise-based rehabilitation. This research aimed to examine and compare the outcomes of continuous training at three different intensities, focusing on left ventricular (LV) remodeling, functional capacity, and quality of life among patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Methods: In this randomized control trial, a total of 60 male patients (average age: 54.33 ±2.35 years) with HFrEF were randomly allocated into three groups: 1) High-intensity continuous training group (HICT), 2) Moderate-intensity continuous training group (MICT), and 3) Low-intensity continuous training group (LICT). All the training was performed on a bicycle ergometer 3 times/week for 12 weeks. Echocardiographic parameters (left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular end-diastolic dimension, left ventricular end-systolic dimension, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), quality of life (Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire), and functional capacity (6-minute walking test) were assessed before and the end of the study. Results: The HICT group demonstrated the greatest improvements in all measured variables when compared to the other two groups (P < 0.05). These findings were consistent across all measured outcomes. Conclusion: It was determined that HICT appears to yield the most favorable outcomes in enhancing echocardiographic measures, NT-proBNP levels, quality of life, and functional capacity among HFrEF patients.