Effects of Cervical Stabilization Exercise in Violinists With Chronic Neck Pain

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of a 6-week cervical stabilization exercise program in university violin players with chronic nonspecific neck pain.

Official Title
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Cervical Stabilization Exercises Improved Pain, Disability, and Physical Impairments in University Violinists With Nonspecific Neck Pain

Conditions
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Neck Pain

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Cervical stabilization exercise


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: duration of playing the instrument longer than 5 years practicing the violin more than 5 hours/week constant neck pain for more than 3 months or at least 2 pain episodes in the last 3 months Exclusion Criteria: previous surgery in the neck and shoulder regions current participation in a structured exercises program current treatment for neck and shoulder pain red flags suggesting of cancer, infection, vascular insufficiency, and etc. during history taking neurological symptoms of the upper extremities during screening tests (e.g. Spurling test and upper limb tension tests)

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 25 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Treatment<br>Exercise | Other: Cervical stabilization exercise<br>* The participants followed instructional videos and performed the cervical stabilization exercise program at home for 20 minutes/day, 3 days/week, for 6 weeks.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Changes in self-reported neck pain: Numeric Rating Scale | Measured by the Numeric Rating Scale (min 0-max 10, better outcome 0 worst outcome 10) | Pre-test 1 (week 0), Pre-test 2 (week 4) and Post-test (week 10) | 
| Changes in neck disability | Measured by the Neck Disability Index (10-item questionnaire, each item scored from 0 to 5, result expressed as percentage, better outcome 0 worst outcome 100%) | Pre-test 1 (week 0), Pre-test 2 (week 4) and Post-test (week 10) | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Changes in deep neck flexors function | Measured by the craniocervical flexion test with a pressure biofeedback unit (higher pressure represents better outcome) | Pre-test 1 (week 0), Pre-test 2 (week 4) and Post-test (week 10) | 
| Changes in cervical muscle endurance | Measured using a stopwatch for the successful time holding the head in cervical flexion and extension positions (longer time represent better outcome) | Pre-test 1 (week 0), Pre-test 2 (week 4) and Post-test (week 10) | 
| Changes in cervical joint position sense | Measured by the cervcal joint reposition error with a laser pointer (short distance represent better outcome) | Pre-test 1 (week 0), Pre-test 2 (week 4) and Post-test (week 10) | 
| Changes in upper body posture | Evaluated by the photographic method | Pre-test 1 (week 0), Pre-test 2 (week 4) and Post-test (week 10) | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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cervical stabilization exercise