& Purpose: In the practice of dentistry, stress, tension and postural practices can contribute to neck and lower backache problems. This is due to the limited work area with a limited scope of movement and narrow visual field associated with the oral cavity. The prevalence and severity of various musculoskeletal disorders decreased by performing regular specific exercises among large group of the dentists. The ergonomic hazards, caused by strained posture and prolonged repetitive movements, can

more »

... induce musculoskeletal disorders. The symptoms begin to appear early in their dental carrier. Objectives: This study is to compare the effectiveness of isometric and stretching exercises with and without ergonomic advice in mechanical neck pain among dental students. Methods: The investigator personally visited two different dental colleges in Bengaluru, obtained permission from the concerned authorities and screened final year students and interns using standardized Nordic Questionnaire forms. Students with mechanical neck pain were then selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The selected students from two dental colleges were grouped as Group A and Group B. The students were asked to fill NDI and NPRS forms prior the intervention. Group A were given isometric and stretching exercise along with ergonomic advice, whereas group B were given isometric and stretching exercises only. The students were asked to follow the protocol for 4 weeks. NDI and NPRS were the outcome measures used. Result: The incidence of mechanical neck pain among 152 dental students screened was 52.63%. 14 out of 60 students who participated in the study were male. Paired t-test and unpaired t test were used for statistical analysis within the group and between the group respectively. Both the groups improved in pain and disability associated with mechanical neck pain. But improvement in neck related complications in group A was more significant than group B in this study. The difference in P value for both NDI and NPRS between both the groups was highly significant. Conclusion: Isometric and stretching exercises with ergonomic advice were more effectiveness than isometric and stretching exercise without ergonomic advice in mechanical neck pain among dental students.