Effect of Deep Cervical Flexor Training vs. Conventional Isometric Training on Forward Head Posture, Pain, Neck Disability Index In Dentists Suffering from Chronic Neck Pain

In contemporary societies, computer use by children is a necessity and thus highly prevalent. Using computers for long hours is related to a higher risk of computer-related muscular disorders like forward head posture (FHP) and neck pain (NP). Deep cervical flexor (DCF) muscles are important head-on-neck posture stabilizers; thus, their training may lead to an improvement in FHP and NP. The aim of this study was to determine if 4 weeks of DCF training is effective in alleviating NP, improving FHP, and functional status in adolescent children using computers regularly, a pretest-posttest experimental group design was used. Subjects were randomly assigned into the experimental group (receiving DCF training and postural education) and the control group (receiving postural education only). 30 subjects with a mean age of 15.7 ± 1.725 years with NP and FHP using computers regularly participated in the study. Dependent variables were measured on day 1 (at baseline) and after 4 weeks of training. Photographic analysis was used for measuring FHP, visual analog scale for NP intensity, and neck disability index for functional status. Data analysis showed that in both groups, no significant improvement occurred in FHP. In both groups, there was a significant improvement in functional status and NP. There was no significant difference between both groups for FHP and NP. There was a significant improvement in functional status in the experimental group in comparison to the control group. Four weeks of DCF training does not cause a significant improvement in FHP in 13 to 18 years old adolescent children using computers regularly.

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Lumbar motor control training as a complementary treatment for chronic neck pain: A randomized controlled trial

Clinical Rehabilitation ◽

10.1177/02692155211038099 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 026921552110380

Author(s):

Zohre Khosrokiani ◽

Amir Letafatkar ◽

Amy Gladin

Keyword(s):

Motor Control ◽

Health Status ◽

Neck Pain ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Chronic Neck Pain ◽

Combination Group ◽

Forward Head Posture ◽

Head Posture ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Neck Disability

Objective: We investigated whether adding lumbar motor control training with a pressure biofeedback unit improves outcomes of a conservative deep cervical flexor motor control program on neck pain, neck disability, deep cervical flexor endurance, and health status in middle-aged patients with chronic neck pain and forward head posture after eight weeks of interventions. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: Outpatient setting. Subjects and interventions: A total of 113 males and females (mean age 39 ± 5 years) with chronic neck pain were randomized to three treatment groups, group 1 ( n = 38) combined deep cervical flexor motor-control training and lumbar motor control exercise, group 2 ( n = 37) deep cervical flexor motor control training alone, and group 3 ( n = 38) passive treatment and education. Main outcome measures: Pain, neck disability, deep cervical flexor muscular endurance, and health status. Results: There were significant improvements in the combination group compared with the deep cervical flexor motor-control group alone ( d = 2.03, 95% confidence interval (CI): −2.8 to −1.27, P = 0.021) for pain ( d = −0.99, 95% CI = −1.75 to −0.23, P = 0.023), disability ( d = 1.92, 95% CI = 0.86 to 2.98, P = 0.001), deep cervical flexor endurance, and ( d = −2.75, 95% CI = −8.81 to −1.68, P = 0.037) for health status favoring the combination group. There were significant between-group differences favoring both active groups versus the passive control in all out comes. Conclusion: The addition of Lumbar motor control training as a complementary treatment may enhance effectiveness of deep cervical flexor motor control training on neck pain, neck disability, and deep cervical flexor endurance in patients with chronic moderate neck pain and forward head posture.

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Combining targeted instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization applications and neuromuscular exercises can correct forward head posture and improve the functionality of patients with mechanical neck pain: a randomized control study

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽

10.1186/s12891-021-04080-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Konstantinos Mylonas ◽

Pavlos Angelopoulos ◽

Evdokia Billis ◽

Elias Tsepis ◽

Konstantinos Fousekis

Keyword(s):

Soft Tissue ◽

Neck Pain ◽

Neck Disability Index ◽

Forward Head Posture ◽

Head Posture ◽

Combined Application ◽

Group A ◽

Group B ◽

Neck Disability ◽

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short- and intermediate-term effects of the combined application of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) techniques and neuromuscular exercises of the cervical and thoracic area on the improvement of the functionality of patients with mechanical neck pain and accompanying forward head posture (FHP). Methods Twenty patients with neck pain and FHP were randomized and received eight treatment sessions of either targeted IASTM in combination with neuromuscular exercises (Group A) or a classical massage and the same set of exercises (Group B). The cervical vertebral angle (CVA), cervical range of motion (ROM) and strength, pain (visual analogue scale-VAS), and neck disability index (NDI) were measured throughout the treatment period and in the two- and four-week post-treatment periods. Results The combined application of IASTM and neuromuscular exercises contributed to a significantly greater improvement in CVA (Group A: + 7,2 deg vs Group B: + 1,1 deg) and NDI (Group A:-25,2 vs Group B:-5,8) than massage and the application of the same exercises. Both interventions improved cervical ROM and strength in the short term. Pain was also significantly improved in both groups in both the short (Group A VAS: − 5,97 vs Group B VAS: − 3,1) and intermediate term (Group A VAS:-5,5 vs Group B:-1,5). Conclusions Combining IASTM and exercises for the cervical and thoracic area can induce positive postural adaptations and improve the functional status of neck pain patients. Trial registration ISRCTN, ISRCTN54231174. Registered 19 March 2020 - Retrospectively registered.

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Does Deep Cervical Flexor Muscle Training Affect Pain Pressure Thresholds of Myofascial Trigger Points in Patients with Chronic Neck Pain? A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

Rehabilitation Research and Practice ◽

10.1155/2016/6480826 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Pavlos Bobos ◽

Evdokia Billis ◽

Dimitra-Tania Papanikolaou ◽

Constantinos Koutsojannis ◽

Joy C. MacDermid

Keyword(s):

Neck Pain ◽

Pain Threshold ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Neck Disability Index ◽

Chronic Neck Pain ◽

Trigger Points ◽

Neck Muscle ◽

Myofascial Trigger Points ◽

Neck Disability ◽

Over Time

Background. We need to understand more about how DNF performs in different contexts and whether it affects the pain threshold over myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). Purpose. The objectives were to investigate the effect of neck muscles training on disability and pain and on pain threshold over MTrPs in people with chronic neck pain. Methods. Patients with chronic neck pain were eligible for participation with a Neck Disability Index (NDI) score of over 5/50 and having at least one MTrP on either levator scapulae, upper trapezoid, or splenius capitis muscle. Patients were randomly assigned into either DNF training, superficial neck muscle exercise, or advice group. Generalized linear model (GLM) was used to detect differences in treatment groups over time. Results. Out of 67 participants, 60 (47 females, mean age: 39.45 ± 12.67) completed the study. Neck disability and neck pain were improved over time between and within groups (p<0.05). However, no differences were found within and between the therapeutic groups (p<0.05) in the tested muscles’ PPTs and in cervicothoracic angle over a 7-week period. Conclusion. All three groups improved over time. This infers that the pain pathways involved in the neck pain relief are not those involved in pain threshold.

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