Effect of Ardh Matsyendrasana, OM Chanting and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation on Cervical Range of Motion and Health Related Quality of Life in Subacute Bilateral Mechanical Neck Pain: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Abstract

Introduction: Mechanical Neck pain is evoked by sustained poor neck posture, movement of neck, and on palpation. Patient experiences pain in cervical muscles with absence of any pathology. Previous studies found that Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) as well as yoga asana is effective for treatment of mechanical neck pain. This study was designed to assess the efficacy of neck PNF, Ardh Matsyendrasana with OM chanting and its combination approach on neck Range Of Motion (ROM) and quality of life of people suffering from subacute mechanical neck pain. Aim: To assess the effectiveness of Ardh Matsyendrasana, OM chanting and PNF and its combined approach on neck ROM and quality of life of patients suffering from bilateral subacute mechanical neck pain. Materials and Methods: This randomised controlled trial was conducted in Amity Institute of Physiotherapy Out Patient Department (OPD), Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India. The study was conducted between January 2019 to January 2021. A total of 103 subjects of bilateral mechanical neck pain were randomised into four groups (group 1-4): PNF group (n=27), yoga group performed Ardh Matsyendrasana with OM chanting (n=25), combined group performed both PNF, Ardh Matsyendrasana with OM chanting (n=26) and control group (n=25) performed bilateral active stretching of neck muscles. Interventions were given for four weeks with five sessions per week. Outcome measures were Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) assessed using digital cervical goniometer and health related quality of life assessed using SF- 36v2 tool. Data were assessed at baseline and four weeks post intervention. Within group analysis was done using paired t-test with p<0.05 was considered significant. Results: Both CROM measurements as well as health related quality of life parameters showed statistically significant improvement for all four groups from baseline to four weeks postintervention (p<0.05). Improvement scores showed that the group performing Ardh Matsyendrasana with OM chanting and combined PNF neck patterns with Ardh Matsyendrasana and OM chanting showed better improvement in neck flexion, extension, right and left lateral flexion and right and left rotation ROM as well improved mental and physical component scores of quality of life parameter for bilateral subacute mechanical neck pain cases. Conclusion: In this study, neck PNF patterns, Ardh Matsyendrasana with OM chanting, combined PNF, Ardh Matsyendrasana with OM chanting and active stretching exercise of neck muscles specifically sternocleidomastoid and rhomboids, all interventions were found to be effective in improving neck ROM and quality of life in bilateral subacute mechanical neck pain post four weeks of intervention. But yoga group (Ardh Matsyendrasana with OM chanting) and combined group which performed combined PNF neck pattern with Ardh Matsyendrasana and OM chanting proved them to be an effective treatment for improving CROM and health related quality of life in bilateral subacute mechanical neck pain.