The effect of mulligan mobilization technique application in addition to conventional physiotherapy on pain and joint range of motion in people with neck pain

Background: To evaluate the effect of the Mulligan mobilization technique on pain intensity and range of motion in individuals with neck pain.

Methods: Forty individuals with mechanical neck pain were enrolled in the study. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups and a total of 10 sessions of treatment were administered to all 2 groups for 2 weeks, 5 days a week. Mulligan mobilization technique, electrophysical agents, active range of motion, and stretching exercises were carried out in the Mulligan group. In contrast, only electrophysical agents and exercises were applied to the conventional physiotherapy group. Range of motion (ROM) of the neck, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Neck Pain and Disability Scale (NPDS), and Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) were used for evaluation.

Results: Statistical analyses were done to compare the amounts at the baseline and immediately after treatment. Statistically significant improvements were found in the post-treatment ROM, VAS, NPDS values in both groups (p < 0.05). When the differences were compared, the results of the Mulligan group were significantly better than the conventional physiotherapy group (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of SF-36 parameters (p > 0.05).

Conclusions: This study showed that the Mulligan mobilization technique plus conventional physiotherapy is more effective than conventional physiotherapy in increasing joint range of motion, reducing pain, and reducing neck disability.

Trial registraton: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05074576).