The effect of short-term upper thoracic self-mobilization using a Kaltenborn wedge on pain and cervical dysfunction in patients with neck pain.
Hyung-Taek Oh, Gak Hwangbo
PMID 29706691WHAT IT FOUND
Pain did not differ between wedge self-mobilization and stretching after one week.
Both groups also received hot pack and interferential current. Cervical extension favoured the wedge.
Key findings
01All participants received hot pack and interferential current, then did 20 minutes of self-mobilization or self-stretching three times a week for one week.
02Pain scores decreased within both groups, but there was no significant between-group difference.
03Cervical extension showed a significant between-group difference, with mean change 8.6 ± 4.2 degrees in the self-mobilization group and 3.2 ± 2.0 degrees in the self-stretching group.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
Read the rest of this summary
You get three full summaries a month, free, and we do not ask for a card. Search, the TL;DRs and your library stay unlimited either way.
What it does not show
The study lasted only one week, so it does not show whether pain or movement changes last. Cervical movement was measured only for flexion and extension, not for rotation or side bending. Both groups also received hot pack and interferential current, so the independent effect of the wedge or stretching cannot be separated. The sample was 27 patients, and the paper does not report dropouts or a longer follow-up.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflict of interest. The paper does not report funding.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that the Kaltenborn wedge is better than stretching for neck pain overall. Pain decreased in both groups and did not differ significantly between groups. Only cervical extension showed a between-group difference, and both groups also received hot pack and interferential current.