## 4 Discussion  
The current study provides a comprehensive analysis of cervical proprioception and stability parameters in the context of CS, yielding valuable insights into the intricate relationship between these variables and their potential mediators. The objectives of this investigation were threefold: to compare cervical proprioceptive reposition errors and limits-of-stability variables between individuals with CS and age-matched healthy controls, to explore the associations between cervical proprioceptive reposition errors and limits-of-stability variables within the CS group, and to examine the mediating effect of pain and kinesiophobia on the connection between cervical proprioceptive reposition errors and limits-of-stability variables. The significance of cervical proprioception and its contribution to postural stability cannot be overstated. The present study underscores the impact of CS on proprioceptive function, as evidenced by significantly higher cervical JREs in the CS group compared with the healthy controls across all directions--flexion, extension, left and right rotation. These findings resonate with previous research that has highlighted the compromised proprioceptive accuracy observed in musculoskeletal conditions. Moreover, the documented reductions in limits-of-stability variables among individuals with CS underline the challenges they face in maintaining postural stability and coordinating head movements. Notably, the CS group displayed higher reaction times, reduced maximum excursions, and diminished directional control compared with the healthy controls. These limitations are likely to stem from the degenerative changes and biomechanical alterations associated with CS. The significance of cervical proprioception and its integral role in maintaining postural stability gains further validation through the inclusion of various pertinent studies [5; 31; 32]. Our findings align with previous research, emphasizing the profound impact of CS on proprioceptive function. In consonance with the study conducted by [PERSON] et al. [22] that delved into the intricate relationship between cervical proprioception and neck pain intensity in individuals with CS, our findings resonate with their assertion that cervical proprioception plays a pivotal role in maintaining posture and movements. Their cross-sectional study involving 132 CS subjects and 132 healthy age-matched controls, underscores the impaired proprioceptive function in individuals with CS [22]. Similar to our study, they employed the measurement of JREs using a cervical range-of-motion device, assessing repositioning accuracy in various planes. The outcomes of the study by [PERSON] et al. [22] mirror our findings, demonstrating that CS subjects exhibited significantly larger JREs in all directions tested compared with the healthy control subjects. Their results highlight the extent of proprioceptive deficits in CS, with joint position errors ranging from 6.27\({}^{\circ}\) to 8.28\({}^{\circ}\) in the CS group and 2.36\({}^{\circ}\) to 4.48\({}^{\circ}\) in the control group. Moreover, their study unearthed a significant and positive correlation between neck pain intensity and cervical proprioception in the CS group, a result akin to our exploration of the mediating effects of pain and kinesiophobia on the relationship between cervical proprioceptive reposition errors and limits-of-stability variables. Also, studies conducted by [PERSON] et al. [33] and [PERSON] et al. [10] both reported compromised proprioceptive accuracy in individuals with musculoskeletal conditions such as whiplash-associated disorders and cervical pain. This consistency underscores the broader implications of musculoskeletal conditions on the intricate proprioceptive mechanisms that regulate posture and movement. Furthermore, the observed reductions in limits-of-stability variables among individuals with CS indicate the complex challenges they face in maintaining postural stability. Our study's outcomes parallel the work of [PERSON] et al.