Abstract

Introduction: etiology of subacute or chronic neck pain is not yet defined, but it might be related to a sensitization process of the cervical nerve roots. Objectives: to compare the immediate effectiveness of lateral glides applied proalone to the cervical spine or as a component of the median nerve mobilization, for patients with subacute or chronic neck pain. Furthermore, to evaluate each technique separately. Material and method: randomized, single blinded, preliminary study performed in Nuestra Señora del Pilar Primary Health Care Center in Alcalá de Henares; 40 patients with neck pain for more than three months and with a positive Upper Limb Neurodynamic Test 1 result, took part in the study and were divided into two groups. The exclusion criteria were diabetes, neck trauma, spine surgery and physiotherapy treatment in the previous 3 months. Group 1: cervical lateral glides in association with median nerve gliding mobilization. Group 2: cervical lateral glides in isolation. The outcomes gathered were spontaneous neck pain measured with the Visual Analogue Scale, and active cervical range of movement measured with cervical goniometer (pre and post evaluation). Results were analyzed using Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney U, following intention-to-treat principles. The confidence level was 95 % and the statistical significance level was p < 0.05. Results: statistically significant differences are not observed when comparing both groups for any variables measured. Both techniques show an improvement in terms of pain when evaluated separately. (group 1: p < 0.001; group 2: p < 0.005). Conclusions: no differences are shown when comparing both techniques, but effectiveness of both techniques in terms of pain is proven when observed in isolation