Comparison of the Effects of Mulligan Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glides Versus Muscle Energy Technique on Pain, Disability and Function in Patients With Chronic Cervical Spondylosis



Dawood A¹ ; Rasanani MRH¹ ; Shadmehr A¹ ; Oliaei G¹ ; Ziab H² ; Mir SM¹ Show Affiliations
Source: Community Practitioner Published:2023

Abstract

Background: Cervical spondylosis (CS) refers to the degenerative changes in at least one functional unit. So, the cervical motion segments including the disc, two adjacent vertebrae, and facet joints are being affected. Objective: The objective of this study is to compare the effectiveness of conventional therapy plus, Mulligan Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glides SNAGs as group A and conventional therapy plus Muscle Energy Techniques (MET) as group B. Method: A clinical trial was designed in which two groups of total number 52 patientswho suffered from Cervical Spondylosis (CS) for at least 6 months participated in this trial The group A (N=26, age=45-65, both sex) received conventional therapy including electric hot pack, TENS with Mulligan SNAGs; the second group (N=26, age= 45-65, both sex) received conventional therapy with MET (12 sessions, three times a week). Results: The results showed improvement for both groups in all parameters. Furthermore, in MET (Group B), significant results were observed in NPRS (P = 0.041), Cervical Extension (P = 0.017), cervical left rotation (P = 0.041), left-hand grip strength (P = 0.022), craniovertebral angle (P = 0.003), and NDI (P = 0.004). However, our result showed improvement in Mulligan SNAGs (Group A) in right-hand grip strength (P value = 0.01) compared to Group B. The results indicated that there were no statistically significant differences in any of the outcome measures such as cervical joint position sense, including flexion (P value = 0.328), extension (P value = 0.371), right side bending (P value = 0.247), left side bending (P value = 0.810), right rotation (P value = 0.810), and left rotation (P value = 0.616) between group A and Conclusion: The results of the study provide strong evidence that both Mulligan SNAGs and MET are significantly effective methods for the management of chronic cervical spondylosis in terms of ROM and cervical joint position sense. For greater effect on improving NPRS, craniovertevral angle and neck disability, MET can be used. While Mulligan SNAGs may be used for improvement in hand grip strength. © 2023, Media Shed. All rights reserved.