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

• Published in: Journal of rehabilitation medicine 2016-01, Vol.48 (1), p.48-55
• Main Authors: Gallego Izquierdo, Tomás, Pecos-Martin, Daniel, Lluch Girbés, Enrique, Plaza-Manzano, Gustavo, Rodríguez Caldentey, Ricardo, Mayor Melús, Rodrigo, Blanco Mariscal, Diego, Falla, Deborah
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Chronic pain; Chronic Pain - physiopathology; Chronic Pain - rehabilitation; Clinical outcomes; Clinical research; Clinical trials; Disability; Disability Evaluation; Evidence-based medicine; Exercise; Exercise Therapy - methods; Female; Humans; Intervention; Male; Middle Aged; Neck Muscles - physiopathology; Neck pain; Neck Pain - physiopathology; Neck Pain - rehabilitation; Pain Threshold - physiology; Proprioception; Proprioception - physiology; Thresholds; Visual Analog Scale; Volunteers
• ISSN: 1650-1977; 1651-2081
• DOI: 10.2340/16501977-2034

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. 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). At 2 months, both groups improved their performance on the cranio-cervical flexion test (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. 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.