Effect of Cervical Stabilization Exercises on Proprioception and Hand Grip Strength in Sedentary Office Workers

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effect of cervical stabilization exercises on pain intensity level, cervical range of motion, proprioception, and handgrip strength in sedentary office workers.

In recent years, the number of sedentary office workers (SOWs) who work in a seated position for prolonged periods has increased with the development of the information technology industry. SOWs are forced to sit for long periods because of the nature of their work. Changes in physical functions that occur due to rounded shoulders can cause one or more abnormal conditions in a complex structure consisting of the head, neck, and shoulders.

Neck pain is a common condition and one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Although neck pain can be attributed to traumatic (such as whiplash-associated) disorders, metabolic, neoplastic, inflammatory, or infectious diseases, most neck pain has no discernable cause and is considered idiopathic. Current studies have indicated that one of the main problems in patients with neck pain is cervical proprioception impairment, which leads to cervical sensorimotor control disturbances.

The cervical sensorimotor control disturbances secondary to neck pain are considered a protective response to limit further stimulation of the painful tissue. Such disturbances may, in the long- run, further cause tissue damage, aggravate pain through peripheral and central nervous system sensitization, and promote dysfunctional motion patterns. Body posture can affect the proprioception function of the neck.

There is a significant positive association between prolonged sitting at work and neck pain, implying that there is an increased risk of neck pain for people who are working almost all day in a sitting position (more than 95% of the working time).

Working for at least 20 hours a week. Working for at least 1 year in their current job. To improve posture, many physical therapy methods can be used.

A back extensor strengthening exercises that included the following: at a sitting position: 1) shoulder elevation, 2) shoulder horizontal abduction, and 3) shoulder extension; at a standing position: 4) push up and 5) one arm and the opposite leg lift.

Stretching exercises included the following: 1) stretching pectoralis muscle, placing both hands on the occipital area and pulling the elbows back up, and performing arm abduction and external rotation. 2) Stretching the cervical extensors, placing both hands on the occipital area in a sitting position followed by a flexed neck posture with the head down to stretch the cervical extensors.

Neck stabilization exercises included the following: Chin tuck, cervical extension, Shoulder shrugs, Shoulder rolls, Scapular retraction.

Advises: subjects will be educated to assume good posture and alignment during sitting and standing activities such as: Sitting upright in a chair and not leaning forward, Using pillows behind the lower back, Sitting on a chair with head and arm support.

These programs were selected from programs commonly used in previous studies.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age range between 25 and 35 years.
* Both male and female patients were included.
* Informed consent was obtained from all participants.
* Subjects with cervical pain lasting for more than 3 months (chronic pain).
* Cooperative patients who were able to follow instructions for assessment procedures.
* body mass index (18.5 - 29.99 Kg/m2).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Unwillingness to participate in the treatment.
* Pre-existing heart or respiratory diseases.
* Acute cervical pain.
* Cervical disc or spondylosis.
* History of any major cervical spine surgery.
* Subjects taking analgesics.
* Any fracture of cervical region.