Effectiveness of a Telerehabilitation Program Based on Specific Neck Exercises in Patients with Forward Head Posture.

Universitat Internacional de Catalunya

Status: Completed

Conditions: Forward Head Posture; Neck Pain

Treatments: Other: Spinertial Group

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06407089

C.I. PI24/164

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of this study is to compare the effects of a 12-session telerehabilitation program based on Specific Neck Exercises (SNE) with Spinertial to a control group on range of motion, cervical proprioception, and posture in subjects with forward head posture, post-intervention, after one month of follow-up, and after two months of follow-up.

Full description

Epidemiological evidence suggests that a sedentary lifestyle is associated with various musculoskeletal conditions, including neck pain. Sedentary behavior during work hours is closely linked to the craniovertebral angle (CVA). Forward head posture, associated with increased vertebral load, predisposes individuals to early onset of degenerative changes, cervical pain, and disability, as well as decreased endurance and strength of the cervical musculature.

Patients with cervical pain may exhibit various clinical manifestations, including weakness of the deep cervical musculature, reduced cervical range of motion (ROM), and cervical disability. Numerous pathologies are described to manifest with localized pain in the cervical region, as well as weakness of the deep cervical musculature and reduced craniovertebral angle (CVA). Examples include cervicogenic dizziness, cervicogenic headache, tension headache, cervical radiculopathy, cervical instability, or chronic mechanical cervicalgia.

The sensorimotor control system is a crucial component of the cervical spine. The deep musculature of the cervical region contains a large number of neuromuscular spindles and mechanoreceptors, providing information about the movement of the head and enhancing dynamic stability during neck movements. The density of neuromuscular spindles in the deep musculature is particularly high, suggesting a significant role in the fine motor control of the cervical spine. Impairment of cervical posture, decreased craniovertebral angle (CVA), proprioception, and alterations in the sensorimotor control system associated with neck pain contribute to recurrence and chronicity.

Enrollment: 52 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Forward head posture (craniovertebral angle less than 50º).
• Deep flexor strength deficit in craniocervical flexion test.
• Deep extensor strength deficit in neck extensor muscle endurance.
• ≤ 14 score in Neck Disability Index.

Exclusion criteria

• Have received cervical treatment during the last six months.
• Presence of any red flag, neurological, or cognitive impairment (inability to - - understand the questionnaires or examination).
• Have received cervical manual therapy treatment during the last six months.
• History of cervical trauma or surgery during the last year.
• Chronic neck pain occurring during the last six months (intensity: visual analogue scale >3/10, frequency >2 days/week, duration >3 hours/day).

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

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52 participants in 2 patient groups

Spinertial Group (SG)

Experimental group

Description:

Endurance training program of deep cervical flexors and deep cervical extensors with Spinertial device for treatment. Endurance training program of deep cervical flexors and deep cervical flexors with Spinertial device for treatment.

Treatment:

Other: Spinertial Group

Control Group (CG)

No Intervention group

Description:

The subject continues activities of daily living without intervention.