## 3 Results
### Demographic Characteristics
Moreover, in terms of directional control, the CS group showed diminished control with a mean of 62.77 \(\pm\) 4.64%, compared with the healthy group's mean directional control of 86.80 \(\pm\) 3.93% (F = 345.51, \(p\) < 0.001). These results collectively highlight the significant differences in cervical JREs and stability parameters between individuals with CS and asymptomatic subjects, underscoring the impact of cervical spondylosis on proprioceptive accuracy and postural stability. Correlation Analysis: Associations between Cervical Joint Reposition Errors (JREs) and Limits-of-Stability Variables in Individuals with CS  
The correlation analysis between cervical JREs and limits-of-stability variables among individuals with CS revealed significant associations (Table 3). \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{l l l l} \hline  & **CS Group (_n_ = 60)** & **Healthy Group (_n_ = 60)** & **df** & _p-Value_ \\  & **Mean \(\pm\) SD** & **Mean \(\pm\) SD** & **df** & _p-Value_ \\ \hline JREs in cervical flexion (\({}^{\circ}\)) & 4.43 \(\pm\) 1.43 & 2.45 \(\pm\) 0.23 & 265.12 & \textless{}0.001 \\ JREs in cervical extension (\({}^{\circ}\)) & 5.12 \(\pm\) 1.55 & 2.56 \(\pm\) 0.31 & 233.23 & \textless{}0.001 \\ JREs in cervical rotation left (\({}^{\circ}\)) & 4.01 \(\pm\) 1.37 & 2.78 \(\pm\) 0.45 & 236.34 & \textless{}0.001 \\ JREs in cervical rotation right (\({}^{\circ}\)) & 4.03 \(\pm\) 1.29 & 2.67 \(\pm\) 0.81 & 217.45 & \textless{}0.001 \\ Reaction time (s) & 2.39 \(\pm\) 0.42 & 0.82 \(\pm\) 0.40 & 139.85 & \textless{}0.001 \\ Maximum excursion (\%) & 5.60 \(\pm\) 0.49 & 8.27 \(\pm\) 0.43 & 963.33 & \textless{}0.001 \\ Direction control (\%) & 62.77 \(\pm\) 4.64 & 86.80 \(\pm\) 3.93 & 345.51 & \textless{}0.001 \\ \hline \end{tabular} CS, cervical spondylosis; JREs, joint reposition errors.  
\end{table} 
Table 2: Comparison of cervical joint reposition errors in four directions between CS and asymptomatic subjects. while an inverse correlation was observed with maximum excursion (r = \(-0.35\), \(p<0.05\)). Similarly, JREs in cervical rotation to the right were positively correlated with reaction time (r = 0.41, \(p<0.05\)) and negatively correlated with both maximum excursion (r = \(-0.41\), \(p<0.05\)) and directional control (r = \(-0.47\), \(p<0.05\)). These findings indicate that greater joint reposition errors in various cervical movements are associated with delayed reaction times and reduced limits-of-stability variables in individuals with cervical spondylosis, highlighting the interconnected nature of proprioceptive accuracy and postural stability in this population. Mediation Analysis: The Role of Pain and Kinesiophobia in Mediating the Relationship between Cervical JREs and Limits-of-Stability Variables  
Table 4 presents the results of the mediation effect analysis examining the role of kinesiophobia in mediating the relationship between cervical JREs and limits-of-stability variables. For each combination of explanatory variables, the total effect, direct effect, and indirect effect were evaluated. Notably, significant effects were observed across the board. In instances where pain interacted with JREs in various directions (flexion, extension, left and right rotation) in conjunction with reaction time, the total effect was consistently significant (\(p<0.001\)), with respective total effects ranging from 0.49 to 0.59. Similarly, for the interactions involving maximum excursion and directional control, the total effects were significant (\(p<0.001\)), with values ranging from 0.49 to 0.63. Direct effects remained consistently significant (\(p<0.001\)) across all combinations, showcasing the direct influence of the explanatory variables on the outcome variables.