Comparison of Kaltenborn and Mulligan mobilization techniques for treatment of non-specific neck pain

Objective: To compare the Kaltenborn and Mulligan mobilization techniques for the treatment of non-specific neck pain. Methodology: This quasi-experimental study was conducted at the physiotherapy department Mayo Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan from September 2015 to February 2016. The forty subjects with neck pain were recruited by non-probability convenience sampling. They were divided in two groups; the group one received Kaltenborn mobilization and group two Mulligan mobilization along with neck isometric exercises. The numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) for pain intensity of neck, neck disability index (NDI) questionnaire for functional limitation of neck, manual muscle testing (MMT) for muscle strength and goniometer for neck range of motions (ROM) were employed. Results: The results showed that p-value for pain intensity and functional status (0.00) was evident according to the level of significance which is (0.05). The p-value for right-side flexion is significant (0.05) as compared to other neck range of motions. Conclusion: Both techniques decreased pain, improved functional status and increased range of motion but Mulligan mobilization was more effective and yielded better outcome than Kaltenborn mobilization.