[Purpose] The job of secondary school teachers involves a lot of head down posture as frequent reading, assignment correction, computer use and writing on a board put them at risk of developing occupational related neck pain. Available studies of neck pain experienced by teachers are limited. The purpose of this study was to determine whether training of deep cervical flexor muscles with pressure biofeedback has any significant advantage over conventional training for pain and disability experienced by school teachers with neck pain. [Subjects] Thirty teachers aged 25–45 years with neck pain and poor craniocervical flexion test participated in this study. [Methods] A pretest posttest experimental group design was used in which experimental group has received training with pressure biofeedback and conventional exercises while control group received conventional exercises only. Measurements of dependent variables were taken at baseline, and after 2 and 4 weeks of training. Pain intensity was assessed using a numeric pain rating scale and functional disability was assessed using the neck disability index. [Results] The data analysis revealed that there was significant improvement in pain and disability in both the groups and the results were better in the experimental group. [Conclusion] Addition of pressure biofeedback for deep cervical flexor muscles training gave a better result than conventional exercises alone. Feedback helps motor learning which is the set of processes associated with practice or experience leading to permanent changes in ability to respond.

This study was designed as a randomized controlled trial. Purpose: The present study aimed to determine the impact of neural mobilization by tensioner's technique (NMTT) on the centralization of symptoms and pain in patients with cervicobrachial pain syndrome (CBPS). Overview of Literature: CBPS is a disabling condition of the neck that is characterized by pain and paresthesia in the upper quarter. Several techniques have successfully provided immediate and long-term relief in CBPS; however, few studies have evaluated the effect of these techniques on the centralization of symptoms. Methods: Thirty patients aged 18-45 years with a complaint of pain in the neck that had persisted for 2-12 weeks radiating to the arm and fulfilling Elvey's criteria were randomly selected and divided into two groups. Group A received NMTT plus conventional treatment (hot pack and postural advice with cervical lateral glide), and group B received only conventional treatment 3 times a week for 2 weeks. The outcome measures were Wernicke's scale score for the centralization of symptoms and Visual Analog Scale score for pain intensity. Within-and between-group comparisons were made before initiating treatment and at the end of the 3rd and 6th sessions. Within group analyses for the centralization values were performed using Friedmann test, and between-group analyses were performed using Mann-Whitney test. A 2×3 mixed model of the analysis of variance was used for analyzing the pain levels. Results: There was a significant difference (p<0.05) within and between the groups for both the measures at the end of the 3rd and 6th sessions. Thus, NMTT may be beneficial in decreasing the peripheralization of symptoms and pain intensity in patients with CBPS. Conclusions: NMTT can be used as an alternative and effective treatment option for patients with CBPS.

Purpose: This randomized trial study compared the efficacy of pressure-biofeedback guided deep cervical flexor training as an adjunct with conventional exercise on pain and muscle performance in visually displayed terminal operators. Methods: A total of 50 (22 men and 28 women) patients with neck pain participated in the study. Patients were randomly placed into two groups: a biofeedback group (n = 25) and a control group (n = 25). The biofeedback group received pressure-biofeedback guided deep cervical flexor training program for 5 days a week for 6 weeks, whereas the control group received an exercise program only. Results: On intergroup comparisons, the deep cervical flexor performance in biofeedback group, at the end of 6th week was significantly higher than those of control group (p < 0.01). Pain intensity was also significantly reduced in biofeedback group when compared to control group at the end of trial (p < 0.004). Conclusion: The addition of pressure-biofeedback to a 6-week conventional program appeared to increase deep cervical flexor muscle performance, compared to the exercise program alone for people with reduced muscle performance.

Objective: To determine the efficacy of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on shoulder function in participants with secondary shoulder impingement. Background: Previous research has established a relationship between shoulder muscle weakness and causation of secondary shoulder impingement. Recent evidence has shown that proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation was effective in relieving pain and increasing overhead reach. However, none of the studies have measured shoulder function after PNF application. Methods: This study used a pretest–posttest experimental group design. Thirty participants (15 male and 15 female) with a diagnosis of secondary shoulder impingement were recruited from a hospital setting and divided into two groups. Group 1 received both PNF and the conventional protocol while group 2 received only the conventional protocol. Both groups received the intervention for a period of 3 weeks. Shoulder Pain And Disability Index (SPADI) score and overhead reach were analysed in both groups. Results: Group 1 showed significant improvement over Group 2 in terms of SPADI score and overhead reach. The experimental group showed significant improvement in (reduction of) SPADI score over the control group (23.8 ± 4.9) at a significance level of P<0.0001. The experimental group showed a significant difference over the control group for overhead reach (3.63 ± 1.8) at a significance level of P<0.03. Conclusion: The addition of PNF to conventional treatment brings significant improvement in shoulder function in comparison to conventional treatment alone in participants with secondary shoulder impingement. PNF helps in early recovery.

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