Effects of Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercises on Pain, Grip Strength, and Anthropometric Measures in Women With Chronic Nonspecific Neck Pain

Overview

Chronic nonspecific neck pain may affect the mechanical loading of the cervical region and trunk stabilization. Diaphragmatic breathing exercises may contribute to postural control and trunk stabilization in addition to their role in breathing. This randomized controlled study investigated the effects of adding diaphragmatic breathing exercises to posture and core stabilization exercises on pain, grip strength, and anthropometric measurements in women with chronic nonspecific neck pain. Forty women aged 18-60 years with chronic nonspecific neck pain lasting at least three months participated in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group or a control group, with 20 participants in each group. Both groups performed posture and core stabilization exercises twice weekly for eight weeks. The intervention group additionally performed 10 minutes of diaphragmatic breathing exercises during each session. Pain intensity, right and left hand grip strength, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, and waist-to-height ratio were assessed before and after the exercise program. Pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale, grip strength using a hydraulic hand dynamometer, and anthropometric measurements according to International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry standards. The results showed that adding diaphragmatic breathing exercises may provide additional benefits, particularly in reducing activity-related pain in women with chronic nonspecific neck pain.

Chronic nonspecific neck pain is a common musculoskeletal condition that may negatively affect daily activities, physical function, and quality of life. Postural changes and alterations in breathing mechanics may contribute to increased mechanical loading of the cervical region and impaired trunk stabilization. Diaphragmatic breathing exercises may support postural control and trunk stabilization in addition to their respiratory function. This randomized controlled study was conducted to investigate whether adding diaphragmatic breathing exercises to posture and core stabilization exercises provides additional benefits for pain, grip strength, and anthropometric measurements in women with chronic nonspecific neck pain. The study included women aged 18-60 years who had experienced nonspecific neck pain for at least three months. A total of 40 participants were included and randomly assigned to an intervention group or a control group, with 20 participants in each group. Randomization was performed using a computer-assisted block randomization method with a 1:1 allocation ratio. Both groups participated in posture and core stabilization exercises twice weekly for eight weeks. Participants in the intervention group additionally performed diaphragmatic breathing exercises for 10 minutes during each session. The control group performed the posture and core stabilization exercises without the additional diaphragmatic breathing component. Assessments were performed before the exercise program and after eight weeks. Pain intensity at rest and during activity was evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale. Right and left hand grip strength were measured using a hydraulic hand dynamometer. Anthropometric measurements were obtained according to the standards of the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry. Body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, and waist-to-height ratio were among the anthropometric variables evaluated. The primary outcome was pain intensity. Secondary outcomes included right and left hand grip strength and anthropometric measurements. The effects of group, time, and the group-by-time interaction were analyzed using a linear mixed-effects model. Individual differences were included as a random effect, and baseline body weight was included as a covariate. Bonferroni correction was used for pairwise comparisons, and the statistical significance level was set at p The study was completed with 40 participants. The results indicated a statistically significant group-by-time interaction for rest pain, activity pain, right and left hand grip strength, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, and waist-to-height ratio. A statistically significant between-group difference in favor of the intervention group was found for activity-related pain. No statistically significant between-group differences were found for the other assessed outcomes.