Effect of deep cervical flexors training on neck proprioception, pain, muscle strength and dizziness in patients with cervical spondylosis: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background: Patients with cervical spondylosis are commonly suffering from neck pain and dizziness due to disturbance in cervical propriocetion. So, inhibiting the causes and improving proprioception might be a key for a positive treatment effect. Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of deep cervical flexors (DCFs) training on neck proprioception, pain, muscle strength and dizziness in patients with cervical spondylosis. Methods: Forty patients with cervical spondylosis suffering from neck pain and dizziness were chosen from OutPatient Clinic, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University to participate in this study. They were randomly divided into two equal groups. The study group (A): received DCFs training plus traditional physical therapy (hot backs, TENS and cervical proprioceptive training). The control group (B): received traditional physical therapy only. Outcome measures included head repositioning accuracy (HRA), severity of pain, DCFs strength, severity of dizziness and dizziness handicap inventory (DHI). Measures were assessed for all patients in both groups before and after 6 weeks of treatment program (3 sessions ∕ week). Results: There was a significant improvement for all of the measured variables after treatment in each group, and there was a significant difference between the two groups in favor of the study group (A) for all of the measured variables including HRA for right rotation (p=0.001), HRA for left rotation (p=0.001), severity of pain (p=0.003), DCFs strength (p=0.001), severity of dizziness (p=0.01) and DHI (p=0.001). Conclusions: The study findings indicate that DCFs training was more effective than traditional physical therapy for improving neck proprioception, pain, muscle strength and dizziness in patients with cervical spondylosis. Hence, it is recommended in the rehabilitation of patients with cervical spondylosis.