The Effects of Cervical and Lumbar Stabilization Exercises on Quantitative Sensory Testing and Muscular Activity in Patients with Neck Pain

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of cervical and lumbar stabilization exercises on quantitative sensory testing (QST) and muscular activity in patients with neck pain. Methods A total of 40 patients were randomly allocated into one of the two groups: The cervical stabilization exercise group (n=20), and the lumbar stabilization exercise group (n=20). All the patients in the two groups were trained for 40 minutes a day, 3 times a week for 8 weeks in different places. QST were assessed using cold sensation threshold (CST), warm sensation threshold (WST), cold pain threshold (CPT), heat pain threshold (HPT), in addition muscular activity were assessed using sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle, and anterior scalene muscle. Results These result lead us to the conclusion that each group were statistically improved at QST and muscle activity, but cervical stabilization exercise group compared with lumbar stabilization exercise group was more significant improvement. Conclusion Cervical and lumbar stabilization exercises has positive effects that are Enhancing QST and muscular activity management in patients with neck pain.