Correlation Between Cervical Deep Flexors Endurance and Proprioception Function in Cervical Radiculopathy
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: cevical range of motion device.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Cervical Radiculopathy. Basic parameters: 30 years — 45 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
Unsure about the terms? Read our patient guide →
Official title
Correlation Between Endurance and Proprioception Function in Cervical Radiculopathy
Overview
In cervical radiculopathy, reduced endurance of the deep cervical flexor muscles is associated with impaired cervical proprioception. This relationship reflects altered sensorimotor control due to muscle dysfunction and neural compromise, emphasizing the need for deep flexor endurance training in rehabilitation.
Detailed description
In patients with cervical radiculopathy, endurance of the deep cervical flexor muscles (longus capitis and longus colli) plays a crucial role in maintaining cervical segmental stability and accurate sensorimotor control. These muscles are rich in muscle spindles and provide continuous afferent input necessary for cervical proprioception, including joint position sense and movement accuracy. When deep cervical flexor endurance is reduced, there is increased reliance on superficial neck muscles, leading to altered motor patterns and diminished quality of proprioceptive feedback.
Cervical radiculopathy further disrupts proprioceptive function through nerve root compression, inflammation, and impaired neural conduction, which affect both sensory input and motor output. This neuromuscular dysfunction results in increased joint position errors, delayed muscle activation, and poor postural control. Consequently, a significant correlation is observed between decreased deep cervical flexor endurance and impaired cervical proprioception, suggesting that deficits in muscle endurance contribute directly to sensorimotor dysfunction. These findings support rehabilitation approaches that emphasize endurance training of the deep cervical flexors to restore proprioceptive accuracy and cervical motor control in patients with cervical radiculopathy.
Interventions
- Device cevical range of motion device
Cervical proprioception was evaluated using the Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) device by assessing joint position sense (JPS). With the participant seated in an upright position, the CROM device was securely fitted to the head. The patient was instructed to actively move the head from a neutral starting position into a specific direction (flexion, extension, rotation, or lateral flexion), then return to the perceived neutral position with eyes closed. The difference between the starting neutra
Primary outcome measures
- Cervical proprioception errors by using joint position sense via CROM device [Time frame: baseline]
Secondary outcome measures (1)
- Deep flexor cervical muscle endurance using biofeedback device [Time frame: baseline]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Adults diagnosed with cervical radiculopathy based on clinical examination (± imaging confirmation).
Presence of neck pain with radiating symptoms to the upper limb for at least 4 weeks.
Age range 20-60 years.
Ability to understand instructions and participate in cervical endurance and proprioception assessments.
Exclusion criteria
- History of cervical spine surgery or acute cervical trauma.
Presence of neurological disorders other than cervical radiculopathy (e.g., stroke, multiple sclerosis).
Vestibular disorders or conditions affecting balance and head position sense.
Inflammatory, rheumatologic, or severe musculoskeletal conditions involving the cervical spine.
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Observational model
- Case-control
Study locations
Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.
Publications
- Rafiq S, Zafar H, Gillani SA, Waqas MS, Liaqat S, Zia A, Rafiq Y. Effects of Neurodynamic Mobilization on Health-Related Quality of Life and Cervical Deep Flexors Endurance in Patients of Cervical Radiculopathy: A Randomized Trial. Biomed Res Int. 2022 Oct 5;2022:9385459. doi: 10.1155/2022/9385459. eCollection 2022. PMID 36246968
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07321119 · trial registry 3