The effect of active scapular training on pain, disability, neck range of motion and the scapular alignment in people with neck pain

Altered scapular posture and alteration of cervicobrachial muscle recruitment patterns are reported as potential risk factors for neck pain. Changes in scapular and clavicle during scapular disorders can potentially affect cervical spine biomechanics by altering axillary scapular muscle tension. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of active scapular training on pain, disability, neck range of motion and the scapular alignment in people with chronic neck pain.

In this clinical trial study, 24 eligible patients were selected and randomly divided into two equal groups of 12, active scapular training and control groups. Pain, disability, neck range of motion, and scapular rotation indices were measured before and after the same procedure by visual analogue scale, Neck Disability Index Questionnaire, MyoMotion 3D, and Caliper, respectively. Data were analyzed using Repeated Measures ANOVA and paired t-test in SPSS version 19, at a significance level of 0.05.

Significant decrease in pain (P=0.001) and disability (P=0.001) and significant increase in neck range of motion (P=0.001) and scapular downward rotation index (P=0.027) were observed in the intervention group compared to the control group.

The findings of this study support the hypothesis that returning the scapular to normal and focusing exercise on it may reduce pain and disability and increase range of motion in people with chronic neck pain.