Effect of a one-month of central postero-anterior mobilization for treating patients with central and/or bilateral neck pain

Abstract

This study investigated the effectiveness of central postero-anterior (PA) mobilization technique in central and/or bilateral neck pain. A treatment was given twice a week for four weeks. Eighteen participants (23 – 58 years) completed the treatment course. Pain intensity and cervical range of motion (ROM) were assessed pre-treatment and five minutes after each treating appointment. Level of disability and global perceived effect (GPE) were assessed pre-treatment at the fifth and the eighth appointments. After four weeks, 72 percent of participants reported GPE as improved. One-way repeated measures analysis of variance and post hoc analysis demonstrated significant decrease in pain and level of disability (p < 0.05). No statistical differences in cervical ROM among appointments were found (p > 0.05). The results indicate that the central PA mobilization technique is effective in decreasing pain and disability while improving GPE in patients suffering from central and/or bilateral neck pain. The clinical effect on pain is cumulative with the subsequent applications of the mobilization. However, it is not effective in improving cervical ROM.