Efficacy of neck stabilization exercises for neck pain: a randomized controlled study

To determine the efficacy of neck stabilization exercises in the management of neck pain. Sixty patients with neck pain were randomized to 3 groups, as follows: group 1--physical therapy agents including transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, continuous ultrasound and infra-red irradiation; group 2--physical therapy agents + isometric and stretching exercises; and group 3--physical therapy agents + neck stabilization exercises. The exercises were performed as a home training programme following a 3-week supervised group exercise. The patients were evaluated with a visual analogue scale, by intake of paracetamol, Neck Disability Index, Beck Depression Scale and range of motion in the 3 planes at baseline and at months 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12. Compared with baseline, all groups showed a significant decrease in visual analogue scale scores during the first 6 months. However, this improvement was maintained only in group 3 at 9 and 12 months, with a significant difference among the groups (p