This study aimed to investigate the effects of sling-based thoracic active exercise on
pain, function, and quality of life in female patients with
neck pain. A total of 27 female patients with
neck pain were divided into the sling-based thoracic active exercise group (n = 14) and the control group (n = 13). The study group performed a sling-based thoracic active exercise with cervical
manual therapy for 50 min a day, twice a week for 4 weeks, whereas the control group performed a placebo exercise with cervical
manual therapy in the same manner as the study group. Evaluation of the degree of
pain before and
after treatment was based on the pressure pain threshold and numeric
pain rating scale scores. The craniovertebral angle and neck disability index (NDI) were used to evaluate neck function, and quality of life was measured using the Short Form-36. Afterwards, the patients' pressure pain thresholds were significantly increased, and the numeric
pain rating scale score was significantly decreased in both groups (p < 0.05). In terms of function, the craniovertebral angle was significantly increased in both groups (p < 0.05), and neck dysfunction significantly decreased (p < 0.05). The quality of life significantly increased in both groups (p < 0.05). The pressure pain threshold, craniovertebral angle, neck dysfunction index, and quality of life scores (p < 0.05) were significantly different between groups, except the numeric
pain scale score. Our results showed that sling-based thoracic active exercise is effective in reducing
pain and improving function and quality of life in female patients with
neck pain, thus emphasizing the need for thoracic treatment for such patients.