No Differences between Individuals with Chronic Idiopathic Neck Pain and Asymptomatic Individuals on Seven Cervical Sensorimotor Control Tests: A Cross-Sectional Study

Review written by Todd Hargrove info

Key Points

  1. There was no difference in assessment of cervical sensorimotor control between individuals with chronic idiopathic neck pain and asymptomatic controls.
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BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Previous research has speculated that the precise control of head movements, also known as cervical sensorimotor control, may play a role in neck pain (1). However, research is unclear as to the benefit of sensorimotor control tests in the treatment of neck pain. This study compared cervical sensorimotor control in people with and without idiopathic neck pain, to look for correlations between cervical sensorimotor control and pain/disability.

Research is unclear as to the benefit of sensorimotor control tests in the treatment of neck pain.
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This study suggests that if motor control treatments for idiopathic neck pain are effective, they work by some mechanism other than improving sensorimotor function.

METHODS

50 participants with chronic idiopathic neck pain, and asymptomatic controls, completed seven cervical sensorimotor control tests: joint position error; joint position error torsion; postural balance; subjective visual vertical; head tilt response; The Fly; smooth pursuit neck torsion; and head steadiness.

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