Preliminary study of neck muscle size and strength measurements in females with chronic non-specific neck pain and healthy control subjects
Neck muscle weakness and atrophy are two common causes of pain and disability among office workers. The aim of this study was to compare the strength of the neck extensor and flexor muscles and the size of the semispinalis capitis muscle (SECM) in patients with chronic non-specific neck pain (CNNP) and healthy subjects. Twenty female [...]
Are psychological factors prognostic indicators of outcome in patients with sub-acute neck pain?
The aim of this study was to determine if psychological factors favourably influence the short and long-term outcome of patients with sub-acute neck pain in terms of global perceived recovery, pain, using a Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and functional disability, using the Neck Disability Index (NDI). This study was conducted within the framework of a [...]
Dose response and efficacy of spinal manipulation for chronic cervicogenic headache: a pilot randomized controlled trial.
The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of two doses of SMT and two doses of light massage (LM) for CGH. Eighty patients with chronic CGH were randomized to either 8 or 16 treatment sessions with either SMT or a minimal LM control. Patients were treated once or twice per week for [...]
The effect of two exercise regimes; motor control versus endurance/strength training for patients with whiplash-associated disorders: a randomized controlled pilot study
The objective of this study was to compare the effect of exercise regimes with focus on either motor control training or endurance/strength training for patients with whiplash-associated disorders in subacute phase. Twenty-five subjects with a whiplash-associated disorder still having symptoms or disability six weeks after injury received 6-10 sessions of physiotherapy for six weeks with [...]
A Cochrane review of patient education for neck pain
The purpose of this study was to assess whether patient education strategies are of benefit for pain, function/disability, global perceived effect, quality of life, or patient satisfaction, in adults with neck pain with or without radiculopathy. Of the 10 selected trials, two (20%) were rated as of high quality. Patient education was assessed as follows: [...]
Which subgroups of patients with non-specific neck pain are more likely to benefit from spinal manipulation therapy, physiotherapy, or usual care?
The objective of this study is to identify subgroups of patients with non-specific neck pain who are more likely to benefit from either physiotherapy, spinal manipulation therapy, or usual care, on the short- and long-term. Data of three recently finished randomised controlled trials, with similar design and setting, were combined. The combined study population consisted [...]
The influence of cervical traction, compression, and spurling test on cervical intervertebral foramen size.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate functional changes in the cervical intervertebral foramen during the axial compression test (ACT), axial distraction test (DT), and Spurling test (SST). 23 participants without history of significant spinal disorders were studied. The 3-dimensional sequence of the magnetic resonance imaging of the foramen was performed whilst measurements were [...]
The effects of manual therapy and exercise directed at the cervical spine on pain and pressure pain sensitivity in patients with myofascial temporomandibular disorders.
LA Touche R, Fernández-DE-Las-Peñas C, Fernández-Carnero J, Escalante K, Angulo-DÃaz-Parreño S, Paris-Alemany A, Cleland JA The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of joint mobilization and exercise directed at the cervical spine on pain intensity and pressure pain sensitivity in the muscles of mastication in patients with TMD. Nineteen patients with myofascial [...]
The effect of therapeutic exercise on activation of the deep cervical flexor muscles in people with chronic neck pain.
Jull GA, Falla D, Vicenzino B, Hodges PW This study investigated the effects of low load cranio-cervical flexion (C-CF) and neck flexor strengthening exercises on spatial and temporal characteristics of DCF activation during a neck movement task and a task challenging the neck's postural stability. Forty-six chronic neck pain subjects were randomly assigned to an [...]
Risk Factors for Persistent Problems Following Whiplash Injury: Results of a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Walton DM, Pretty J, Macdermid JC, Teasell RW. This review aimed to identify risk factors for persistent problems following whiplash injury. 9 factors were found to be significant predictors based on the odds ratio and confidence limits: no postsecondary education, female gender, history of previous neck pain,baseline neck pain intensity greater than 55/100, presence of [...]
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