The effect of cervical and scapular exercises on pain, quality of life and scapular dyskinesia in individuals with mechanical neck pain

. The aim of this study; The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two different exercise programs including scapular region in addition to cervical region in addition to conventional physiotherapy and rehabilitation approach focused on cervical region in individuals with mechanical neck pain. Twenty-four individuals(n: 24) with mechanical neck pain were included in the study. Our study was conducted in Bostanci Medical Center. Participants were randomly divided into two groups and named as Group 1 and Group 2. In both groups, cervical exercises were applied with conventional physiotherapy and scapular exercises were given to Group 2. Participants were randomly divided into two groups and named as Group 1 and Group 2. In both groups, cervical exercises were applied with conventional physiotherapy and scapular exercises were given to Group 2. The exercises were performed by the physiotherapist 3 days a week for 5 weeks. Before starting the study, sociodemographic information form was completed by the patients; Visual Analog Scale, Neck Disability Questionnaire, SF-36, Scapular Dyskinesia Test, Lateral Scapular Slip Test and Pectoralis Minor Index were evaluated. The same tests were repeated at the end of 5 weeks. The obtained data were analyzed using nonparametric test. As a result of our study, pain and Neck Disability Questionnaire scores of both treatment groups showed a significant improvement compared to the pre-treatment level (p<0.05). There was an increase in quality of life in both groups. However, when VAS, NDI and SF-36 quality of life were compared between groups, more positive findings were obtained in Group 2 than Group 1. Scapular dyskinesia and pectoralis minor muscle length did not change in Group 1, but showed a significant change in Group 2 (p<0.05). As a result, we thought that while pain and quality of life changes were observed in both groups in mechanical neck pain, the inclusion of scapular region in the treatment program and thus the change in the number of people in scapular dyskinesia in group 2, the risk of recurrence of neck pain and other parts of the body can be prevented. Keywords; pain, quality of life, scapular dyskinesia, exercise, pectoralis minor