Isometric Muscle Energy Technique and Non-specific Neck Pain in Secondary School Teachers - Results of an Experimental Study

Objectives: To evaluate the beneficial effect of muscle energy technique over conventional neck exercises in secondary school teachers with non-specific neck pain.

Design: A pre-test and post-test experimental design.

Settings: Secondary schools in and around union territory of Puducherry region

Participants: Teachers (N= 270, 111 Males, 159 Females), with non-specific neck pain.

Interventions: One group received conventional neck exercises (CNE).The other received Post isometric relaxation with and without stretch approach of Muscle Energy Technique (MET) , 4 sessions a week for 12 weeks.

Main Outcome Measures: Pain assessment by Neck Pain Questionnaire, and Disability evaluation by Neck Disability Index before and after 12 weeks of treatment.

Results: 270 participants ( 135 CNE group participants, and 135 Muscle Energy Technique group participants) completed the 12 week follow up. There was a significant statistical reduction of neck pain on comparison between the pre-test and post-test values of conventional neck exercises (CNE) group (P = 0.000 ) and a significant statistical reduction of neck pain between the pre-test and posttest values (P = 0.000 ) of Muscle Energy Technique (MET) group. There was a statistical significant reduction of disability on comparison between the pre-test and post-test values of disability in conventional neck exercises (CNE) group (P=0.000) and Muscle Energy Technique (MET) group( P=0.000). Significant difference (P = 0.000) exists between the CNE group and MET group in pain and also significant difference (P = 0.000) exists between the CNE group and MET group in disability.

Conclusions: Post isometric relaxation with and without stretch approach of Muscle energy technique can reduce the pain and disability in secondary school teachers with non-specific neck pain.