Effectiveness of Two Exercise Programs on the Neck.

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical results in lower cervical range of motion, size deep muscles, endurance, craniovertebral angle and cervical propioception by a training protocol with the new device for cervical treatment (CDAT) and the conventional training protocol (CT) versus a control group (C) in subjects with cervical deep muscle strength deficit.

Detailed Description
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Neck pain is one of the major public health problems, which has a great impact on people's lives, with high prevalence and recurrence rate. Cervical vertebral column is heavily dependent on the muscles for its physical support and activities. There are increasing evidences to support that cervical muscles may impair in patients with neck disorders. Training protocols can help to improve pain, cervical function, posture and cross-sectional area. However, there are no training protocols in subjects with strength deficit of deep cervical muscles, including deep neck extensor and flexor muscles. The cervical device treatment (CDAT) allows us to train the cervical flexor and extensor muscle in a simple and comfortable way.

Official Title
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Effectiveness of Two Exercise Programs on the Neck. Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Conditions
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Subjects With Deep Cervical Muscle Strength Deficit

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Training protocol with the cervical device for treatment (CDAT).
* Other: Conventional training protocol


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Deep flexor strength deficit in craniocervical flexion test. Deep extensor strength deficit in neck extensor muscle endurance. ≤ 14 score in Neck disability Index Exclusion Criteria: Have received cervical treatment during the last six month, presented any red flag, neurological or cognitive impairment (inability to understand the questionnaires or examination). Have received cervical manual therapy treatment during the last six month. A history of cervical trauma or surgery during the last year. Chronic neck pain occurring during the last six months (intensity, visual analogue scale >3/10, frequency > 2 days/week, duration >3 hours/day).

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Interventional Model Description: This will be a randomized controlled trial with 3 different groups
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Training protocol with the cervical device for treatment (CDAT).<br>Endurance training program of deep cervical flexors and deep cervical extensors with the cervical device for treatment. | Other: Training protocol with the cervical device for treatment (CDAT).<br>* Endurance training program of deep cervical flexors and deep cervical extensors with the cervical device for treatment.<br>|
| Active Comparator: Conventional training protocol-<br>Endurance training program of deep cervical flexors and deep cervical extensors with the conventional protocol. | Other: Conventional training protocol<br>* Endurance training program of deep cervical flexors and deep cervical extensors with conventional training protocol.<br>|
| No Intervention: Control Group<br>Subject continues with activities of daily living. Does not receive deep cervical muscle training. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Deep neck flexor endurance Test. | The Chin Tuck Neck Flexion Test is an assessment technique intended to determine the endurance of the deep cervical flexors. | Baseline and 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks | 
| Neck extensor muscle endurance Test | Mean change from baseline in neck extensor muscle endurance Test after 6 weeks, 10 weeks and 14 weeks. The examiners assess the endurance of deep cervical extensor muscle. | Baseline and 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks | 
| Measurement of Cervical Multifidus and Longus Colli Muscle size. | The examiners assess these deep muscles with ultrasound after 6 weeks, 10 weeks and 14 weeks. | Baseline and 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks | 
| Physical activity enjoyment Scale (PACES) | The examiners assess participant satisfaction with cervical deep muscle training. This scale measures enjoyment during physical activity through 16 items, which are preceded by the phrase When I am active... This instrument measures enjoyment and bipolar enjoyment, through statements such as I enjoy it, I'm bored, It's very exciting, and I don't like it. The answers will be collected on a Likert scale from 1 (totally disagree) to 5 (totally agree). | 6 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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neck muscles, neck pain, exercise therapy, telerehabilitation, muscle weakness