Although studies have examined the effects of Maitland mobilization on symptom relief, to date, no work has has focused on the effects of Mulligan mobilization specifically. This work had the objective of comparing the effectiveness of Maitland and Mulligan’s mobilization and exercises on pain response, range of motion (ROM) and functional ability in patients with mechanical neck pain. A total sample of 60 subjects (21-45 years of age) with complaints of insidious onset of mechanical pain that has lasted for less than 12 weeks and reduced ROM were randomly assigned to: group I – Maitland mobilization and exercises; group – II Mulligan mobilization and exercises; and group-III exercises only, and assessed for dependent variables by a blinded examiner. Post measurement readings showed statistical significance with time (p 0.05) suggesting no group is superior to another after treatment and at follow-up. The effect sizes between the treatment groups were small.
The results of this study sho that manual therapy interventions weren’t any better than supervised exercises in decreasing pain, improving ROM and neck disability.