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

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

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Citations (Scopus)
1081 Downloads (Pure)

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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)48-55
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Rehabilitation Medicine
Volume48
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2016

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Comparison of cranio-cervical flexion training versus cervical proprioception training in patients with chronic neck pain: A randomized controlled clinical trial'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this