Is Cervical Stabilization Exercise Immediately Effective in Patients with Chronic Neck Pain and Upper Cervical Spine Dysfunction? Randomized Controlled Trial

Rodríguez-Sanz, J. ; Malo-Urriés, M. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Lucha-López, M.O. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Corral-De-toro, J. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; González-Rueda, V. ; López-De-celis, C. ; Pérez-Bellmunt, A. ; Hidalgo-García, C. (Universidad de Zaragoza)

Resumen: Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of a single exercise session with manual therapy techniques in the segments of the upper cervical spine (C0–1, C1–2 and C2–3), against a single exercise session in patients with chronic neck pain and mobility deficits in the upper cervical spine. Methods: A single-blind randomized controlled trial was performed. Fifty-eight patients were recruited (29 for the manual therapy and exercise group and 29 for the exercise group) who presented chronic neck pain and upper cervical spine dysfunction. The exercise focused on the deep muscles. The manual therapy combined manipulations and mobilizations with these exercises. Cervical range of motion, flexion-rotation test, pressure pain threshold and pain intensity were measured by a blind evaluator before and after the intervention. Results: Compared to pre-intervention, after intervention, the exercise group was significantly lower in terms of the range of motion, flexion-rotation test, and pressure pain threshold (p < 0.05). The manual therapy and exercise group improved in upper cervical flexion, the flexion-rotation test and intensity of pain (p < 0.05). Conclusions: It may be necessary to normalize the mobility of the upper cervical spine before cervical stabilization training, in patients with chronic neck pain and mobility deficits in the upper cervical spine.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.3390/life12050714

Año: 2022

Publicado en: Life 12, 5 (2022), 714 [16 pp.]
ISSN: 2075-1729

Factor impacto JCR: 3.2 (2022)

Categ. JCR: BIOLOGY rank: 34 / 92 = 0.37 (2022) - Q2 - T2

Factor impacto CITESCORE: 2.7 - Agricultural and Biological Sciences (Q2) - Earth and Planetary Sciences (Q3) - Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (Q3)

Factor impacto SCIMAGO: 0.634 - Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (miscellaneous) (Q2) - Space and Planetary Science (Q2) - Paleontology (Q2) - Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics (Q2)

Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)

Área (Departamento): Área Fisioterapia (Dpto. Fisiatría y Enfermería)