Comparison of cranio-cervical flexion training versus cervical proprioception training in patients with chronic neck pain: A randomized controlled clinical trial.

Authors

  • Tomás Gallego Izquierdo
  • Daniel Pecos-Martin
  • Enrique Lluch Girbés
  • Gustavo Plaza-Manzano
  • Ricardo Rodríguez Caldentey
  • Rodrigo Mayor Melús
  • Diego Blanco Mariscal
  • Deborah Falla

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2340/16501977-2034

Keywords:

neck pain, proprioception, exercise, intervention.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of cranio-cervical flexion vs cervical proprioception training on neuromuscular control, pressure pain sensitivity and perceived pain and disability in patients with chronic neck pain. METHODS: Twenty-eight volunteers with chronic non-specific neck pain were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 interventions and undertook 6 physiotherapist-supervised sessions over a period of 2 months. Both groups performed daily home exercise. Performance on the cranio-cervical flexion test, pressure pain thresholds and reported levels of pain and disability were measured before and immediately after the first treatment session, 1 month after starting treatment and 2 months after starting treatment (at completion of the intervention). RESULTS: At 2 months, both groups improved their performance on the cranio-cervical flexion test (p < 0.05), but this did not differ between groups (p > 0.05). Both groups showed a reduction in their pain at rest and disability at 2 months, but this was also not different between groups (p > 0.05). Pressure pain sensitivity did not change for either group. CONCLUSION: Both specific cranio-cervical flexion training and proprioception training had a comparable effect on performance on the cranio-cervical flexion test, a test of the neuromuscular control of the deep cervical flexors. These results indicate that proprioception training may have positive effects on the function of the deep cervical flexors.

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Published

2015-11-12

How to Cite

Gallego Izquierdo, T., Pecos-Martin, D., Lluch Girbés, E., Plaza-Manzano, G., Rodríguez Caldentey, R., Mayor Melús, R., Blanco Mariscal, D., & Falla, D. (2015). Comparison of cranio-cervical flexion training versus cervical proprioception training in patients with chronic neck pain: A randomized controlled clinical trial. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 48(1), 48–55. https://doi.org/10.2340/16501977-2034

Issue

Section

Original Report