Immediate Effectiveness of Soft Tissue Mobilization versus Scapular Mobilization on Mechanical Neck Pain

Abstract

ABSTRACT:

Objective: To determine the immediate effectiveness of soft tissue mobilization versus scapular mobilization on mechanical neck pain.

Study Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at Al Khidmat Razi hospital and CASHT clinic, over a period of six-months from March 2025 to August 2025.

Material and Methods: A total of 52 patients of both genders, aged 18–60 years, with diagnosed mechanical neck pain were randomly allocated to two groups using the coin-toss method. Patients with cervical radiculopathy, scapular winging, severe cognitive impairment, cervical spine infection or abscess, soft tissue or joint malignancy, a recent related fracture, or recent surgery were excluded. Group 1 received soft tissue mobilization and Group 2 received scapular mobilization; pain was measured using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) before and immediately after treatment. Data were analysed using SPSS version 27.

Results: The mean NPRS score in Group 1 improved from 7.38±1.203 to 2.15±1.156 (p<0.05), and in Group 2 from 7.27±1.218 to 3.88±1.558 (p<0.05); between-group comparison also showed a significant difference (p<0.05). When both groups were compared, p value < 0.05 indicated that there is significant difference between both techniques with soft tissue mobilization being more effective than scapular mobilization.

Conclusion: Soft tissue mobilization was more effective than scapular mobilization in providing immediate pain reduction in patients with mechanical neck pain.

Keywords: Mechanical neck pain, soft tissue mobilization, scapular mobilization, manual therapy, physiotherapy.