Effects of an integrated neuromuscular inhibition technique program on neck muscle strength and endurance in individuals with chronic mechanical neck pain

Dimitrios Lytras; Evaggelos Sykaras; Kosmas Christoulas; Ioannis Myrogiannis; Eleftherios Kellis

doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2019.01.004

Effects of an integrated neuromuscular inhibition technique program on neck muscle strength and endurance in individuals with chronic mechanical neck pain

J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2019 Jul;23(3):643-651. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2019.01.004. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

Authors

Dimitrios Lytras¹, Evaggelos Sykaras², Kosmas Christoulas³, Ioannis Myrogiannis⁴, Eleftherios Kellis⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 57001, Thermi, Thessaloniki, Greece. Electronic address: lytrasde@gmail.com.
² Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 57001, Thermi, Thessaloniki, Greece.
³ Laboratory of Ergophysiology, Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 57001, Thermi, Thessaloniki, Greece.
⁴ Department of Medical School, Laboratory of Hygiene-Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, University Campus, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece.
⁵ Laboratory of Neuromechanics, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science at Serres, Aristotle University of Thessaloníki, 62110, Agios Ioannis, Serres, Greece.

PMID: 31563383
DOI: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2019.01.004

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the application of the integrated neuromuscular inhibition technique (INIT) combined with therapeutic exercise (TE) can provide faster and greater improvement in maximum isometric strength and isometric endurance of the neck muscles in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain (CMNP).

Methods: In this 10-week, single-blind clinical trial, 40 participants (men and women) with CMNP were divided into two groups. The intervention group (IG) followed a TE program in combination with the INIT, while the control group (CG) followed the same TE program without the INIT technique. Changes in maximum isometric strength and isometric endurance of the neck muscles were evaluated before, during, and after the intervention, with follow-up measurements taken at 1, 3, and 6 months after the intervention. Analysis of variance with repeated measures was applied.

Results: Both groups showed a significant improvement in all dependent measures after the intervention (p < .05). These changes were maintained for both groups 6 months after the intervention. However, the IG showed a greater improvement in the maximum isometric strength of neck flexion and an improved craniocervical flexion test score compared with the CG.

Conclusion: The combination of TE and INIT had a positive effect on neck muscle strength and endurance in individuals suffering from CMNP as compared with TE alone.

Keywords: Chronic mechanical neck pain; Exercise; Integrated neuromuscular inhibition technique.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

Adult
Chronic Disease
Combined Modality Therapy
Exercise Therapy / methods*
Female
Humans
Isometric Contraction / physiology
Male
Middle Aged
Muscle Strength / physiology*
Neck Muscles / physiology*
Neck Pain / therapy*
Physical Endurance
Range of Motion, Articular / physiology
Single-Blind Method
Therapy, Soft Tissue / methods*