Table 3 Effect of training on muscle activation (%MVC).

From: Therapeutic routine with respiratory exercises improves posture, muscle activity, and respiratory pattern of patients with neck pain: a randomized controlled trial

Within-group

Between-groups

Outcomes

Groups

Baseline Mean ± SD

8-weeks Mean ± SD

Change Relative to Baselinec (%)

D† and 95% CI (Lower limit -Upper limit)

P

Interaction effects

P

Upper trapezius

Combined respiratory-therapeutic exercise

14.6 ± 1.8

5.8 ± 0.9

60.3% ↓

0.95 (0.41 to 1.33)

0.01d

F = 7.42 P = 0.04f.

0.02a 0.03b

Therapeutic exercise alone

11.2 ± 2.3

6.1 ± 1.1

45.5% ↓

0.81 (0.17 to 1.12)

0.02d

Control

12.5 ± 1.4

10.4 ± 2.5

16.8% ↓

0.21 (− 1.2 to 0.14)

0.13

Sternocleidomastoid

Combined respiratory-therapeutic exercise

68.1 ± 5.8

43.4 ± 5.0

36.3% ↓

0.91 (0.5 to 2.42)

0.01d

F = 13.84 P = 0.02f.

0.02a 0.03b

Therapeutic exercise alone

63.2 ± 7.5

44.7 ± 6.5

29.3% ↓

0.79 (0.23 to 1.44)

0.03d

Control

66.5 ± 7.1

64.7 ± 6.9

2.7% ↓

0.05 (− 0.08 to 1.48)

0.16

Scalene

Combined respiratory-therapeutic exercise

38.6 ± 3.7

21.0 ± 3.3

45.6% ↓

0.92 (0.41 to 2.14)

0.01d

F = 14.48 P = 0.02f.

0.01a 0.02b

Therapeutic exercise alone

33.8 ± 4.0

20.5 ± 3.6

39.3% ↓

0.86 (0.13 to 1.62)

0.02d

Control

35.4 ± 3.1

33.8 ± 2.8

4.5% ↓

0.26 (− 0.4 to 0.10)

0.21

Neck erector spinae

Combined respiratory-therapeutic exercise

28.8 ± 3.7

14.5 ± 3.0

49.6% ↓

0.90 (0.12 to 1.94)

0.01d

F = 11.24 P = 0.03f.

0.02a 0.03b

Therapeutic exercise alone

23.7 ± 2.8

15.9 ± 1.9

32.9% ↓

0.85 (0.17 to 1.64)

0.04d

Control

25.2 ± 3.1

26.9 ± 2.8

6.7% ↑

− 0.27 (− 0.22 to 0.8)

0.16

Diaphragm

Combined respiratory-therapeutic exercise

58.5 ± 7.2

75.0 ± 5.5

28.2% ↑

− 0.78 (− 0.2 to − 0.98)

0.01d

F = 14.12 P = 0.03f.

0.01a 0.03e

Therapeutic exercise alone

61.1 ± 6.7

58.4 ± 7.9

4.4% ↓

0.18 (− 0.2 to 0.46)

0.11

Control

55.4 ± 5.3

53.8 ± 6.4

2.9% ↓

0.13 (− 0.12 to 0.07)

0.22

  1. aSignificant between combined respiratory-therapeutic exercise and control groups.
  2. bSignificant between therapeutic exercise alone and control groups.
  3. cPercent change (↓decrease, ↑increase).
  4. dDenotes significant within group improvement between the baseline and 8-weeks treatment period.
  5. eSignificant between combined respiratory-therapeutic exercise and therapeutic exercise alone groups.
  6. fSignificant group × time interaction.
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