To compare a guided and progressive resistance exercise program performed with the Spinertial to free-exercise and to no intervention in participants with NP.
Sixty participants with low-intensity NP were randomly assigned to the Spinertial group (SG), the free-exercise group (EG), or the control group (CG). Both the SG and EG underwent twelve sessions of specific neck exercise for flexor and extensor muscles (SNE-fe) over a six-week period. The SG utilized the Spinertial device, while the EG engaged in the exercises as free movement. No intervention was applied in the CG. The neck pain intensity, activation of deep cervical flexor, neck disability, total upper cervical range of motion, and cervical flexor and extensor endurance were measured were measured at baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1), and at 2 month (T2).
Sixty participants were included, one participant of the EG dropped-out. There were on differences in pain intensity (VAS) between the SG and EG at T1 and T2, although both groups were superior to the CG (p 0.05). Statistically significant differences were found in favour of the SG group compared to the EG and CG in CCFT, NDI, total ROM UCS, and cervical flexor and extensor endurance at T1 and T2. EG was superior to the CG in VAS, CCFT and NDI (T1: all p 0.05; T2: all p 0.05).
Training with Spinertial and free exercise improves pain intensity when compared with no intervention; however, there was no superior effect on pain intensity between using the Spinertial device and not using it. The intervention carried out with Spinertial device was more effective than free exercise and no intervention for improving the performance of CCFT, NDI, total ROM of UCS and endurance of craniocervical flexor and extensor endurance in participants with NP.
Guided craniocervical training improve more the upper cervical spine flexion and extension movement ROM compared without guided training and to the control group.
Exercise
Clinical trial
