Effect of Different Cervical Muscles Training Protocols on Neck Pain and Disability in Smartphone Addicted Users

Neck pain (NP) is a common symptom among smartphone addicted users and it is associated with increasing disability. This study was conducted to compare the effect of different muscles training protocols on NP and disability in smartphone addicted users. Random assignment of participants was into 3 equal groups. Group A received deep cervical flexors (DCF) training exercises, group B received McKenzie neck training exercises and group C received combined training. Treatment was given for 4 weeks. We evaluated NP using visual analog scale (VAS), while neck disability (ND) was evaluated using neck disability index (NDI).Pre-treatment ANOVA showed no significant differences in NP (P= 0.920) and ND (P= 0.972). On the other hand, post-treatment, there were statistically significant differences among the 3 groups in NP (P<0.001) and ND (P=0.006). The percentage of reduction in NP was 38.46% for group A, 40.92% for group B and 58.47% for group C. While the percentage of reduction in ND was 33.55% for group A, 35.19% for group B and 42.67% for group Cervical training protocol that include both DCF muscle training and McKenzie neck training was more effective in reducing NP and ND than the protocols that used either DCF muscle training or McKenzie neck training alone in smartphone addicted users.