Effects of Mckenzie Exercises with and without Bruegger's Relief Exercise on Cervical Flexion Extension and Endurance of Deep Neck Flexors in Patients with Text Neck Syndrome

Background: The term text neck syndrome is a condition which develops in mobile phone users due to excessive usage that puts a load on the flexor muscles of the neck because the upper back is being held in flexion for a prolonged period. This syndrome is characterised by pain, soreness and stiffness in neck muscles and an increased risk of potential damage to neck structures resulting in abnormal cervical spine curvature. Objective: To compare the effects of McKenzie exercises with and without Bruegger's relief exercises on the range of motion and endurance of deep neck flexors in patients with text neck syndrome. Methodology: This study was a Randomized clinical trial conducted over three months from March to April 2024 with a sample size of thirty-four participants. Data was selected through non-probability convenient sampling from the Government College University, Faisalabad. However, Informed consent was taken from participants. Neck disability index, universal goniometer for flexion and extension, smartphone addiction scale-short version and neck flexion endurance test were used for pre-assessment and post-assessment was done by disability index, goniometer and neck flexion endurance. Patients were allocated randomly into two groups. Group A received Bruegger’s relief exercise along with Mckenzie's exercises and Group B received only Mckenzie exercises for a total of 6 weeks having 5 sessions per week. Results: Results have shown Bruegger’s exercise with McKenzie to be effective for the improvement of neck flexion endurance and flexion of the cervical spine with p-values <0.01 and <0.05 respectively. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups on the effects of cervical extension and neck disability index (p>0.05). Conclusion: It was concluded that both groups of McKenzie alone and Mckenzie with Bruegger exercises had similar effects on cervical extension range of motion and disability index score of neck while Mckenzie with Bruegger had a significantly greater effect on neck flexion endurance and cervical flexion range of motion.