Correlation Between Cervical Deep Flexors Endurance and Proprioception Function in Cervical Radiculopathy

Delta University for Science and Technology

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Cervical Radiculopathy

Treatments: Device: cevical range of motion device

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07321119

trial registry 3

Details and patient eligibility

About

In cervical radiculopathy, reduced endurance of the deep cervical flexor muscles is associated with impaired cervical proprioception. This relationship reflects altered sensorimotor control due to muscle dysfunction and neural compromise, emphasizing the need for deep flexor endurance training in rehabilitation.

Full description

In patients with cervical radiculopathy, endurance of the deep cervical flexor muscles (longus capitis and longus colli) plays a crucial role in maintaining cervical segmental stability and accurate sensorimotor control. These muscles are rich in muscle spindles and provide continuous afferent input necessary for cervical proprioception, including joint position sense and movement accuracy. When deep cervical flexor endurance is reduced, there is increased reliance on superficial neck muscles, leading to altered motor patterns and diminished quality of proprioceptive feedback.

Cervical radiculopathy further disrupts proprioceptive function through nerve root compression, inflammation, and impaired neural conduction, which affect both sensory input and motor output. This neuromuscular dysfunction results in increased joint position errors, delayed muscle activation, and poor postural control. Consequently, a significant correlation is observed between decreased deep cervical flexor endurance and impaired cervical proprioception, suggesting that deficits in muscle endurance contribute directly to sensorimotor dysfunction. These findings support rehabilitation approaches that emphasize endurance training of the deep cervical flexors to restore proprioceptive accuracy and cervical motor control in patients with cervical radiculopathy.

Enrollment: 80 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 30 to 45 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Adults diagnosed with cervical radiculopathy based on clinical examination (± imaging confirmation).

Presence of neck pain with radiating symptoms to the upper limb for at least 4 weeks.

Age range 20-60 years.

Ability to understand instructions and participate in cervical endurance and proprioception assessments.

Exclusion criteria

• History of cervical spine surgery or acute cervical trauma.

Presence of neurological disorders other than cervical radiculopathy (e.g., stroke, multiple sclerosis).

Vestibular disorders or conditions affecting balance and head position sense.

Inflammatory, rheumatologic, or severe musculoskeletal conditions involving the cervical spine.