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BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

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Open Access 01-12-2024 | Neck Pain | Research

The effect of a neck-specific exercise program on cervical kinesthesia for patients with chronic whiplash-associated disorders: a case-control study

Authors: Harpa Ragnarsdottir, Gunnel Peterson, Magnus K Gislason, Gudny L Oddsdottir, Anneli Peolsson

Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders | Issue 1/2024

Abstract

Introduction

Cervical kinesthesia is an important part of movement control and of great importance for daily function. Previous research on kinesthesia in whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) has focused on grades I-II. More research is needed on WAD grade III. The aim of this study was to investigate cervical kinesthesia in individuals with WAD grades II-III before and after a neck-specific exercise intervention and compare them to healthy controls.

Methods

A prospective, case-control study with a treatment arm (n = 30) and a healthy control arm (n = 30) was conducted in Sweden. The WAD group received a neck-specific exercise program for 12 weeks. The primary outcome to evaluate kinesthesia was neck movement control (the Fly test). Secondary outcomes were neck disability, dizziness and neck pain intensity before and after the Fly test. Outcomes were measured at baseline and post-treatment. The control arm underwent measurements at baseline except for the dizziness questionnaire. A linear mixed model was used to evaluate difference between groups (WAD and control) and over time, with difficulty level in the Fly test and gender as factors.

Results

Between-group analysis showed statistically significant differences in three out of five kinesthetic metrics (p = 0.002 to 0.008), but not for the WAD-group follow-up versus healthy control baseline measurements. Results showed significant improvements for the WAD-group over time for three out of five kinaesthesia metrics (p < 0.001 to 0.008) and for neck disability (p < 0.001) and pain (p = 0.005), but not for dizziness (p = 0.70).

Conclusions

The exercise program shows promising results in improving kinesthesia and reducing neck pain and disability in the chronic WAD phase. Future research might benefit from focusing on adding kinesthetic exercises to the exercise protocol and evaluating its beneficial effects on dizziness or further improvement in kinesthesia.

Impact statement

Kinesthesia can be improved in chronic WAD patients without the use of specific kinesthetic exercises.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03664934), first registration approved 11/09/2018.

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Title: The effect of a neck-specific exercise program on cervical kinesthesia for patients with chronic whiplash-associated disorders: a case-control study
Authors: Harpa Ragnarsdottir
Gunnel Peterson
Magnus K Gislason
Gudny L Oddsdottir
Anneli Peolsson
Publication date: 01-12-2024
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keyword: Neck Pain
Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2474
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-024-07427-9

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Springer Medicine

The effect of a neck-specific exercise program on cervical kinesthesia for patients with chronic whiplash-associated disorders: a case-control study

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Impact statement

Trial registration

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Impact statement

Trial registration

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