Effects of Global Postural Exercises Versus Specific Therapeutic Neck Exercises in Chronic Non-specific Neck Pain

Effects of Global Postural Exercises Versus Specific Therapeutic Neck Exercises on Pain, Disability, Postural Control, and Neuromuscular Efficiency in Women With Chronic Nonspecific Neck Pain

This study is a randomized, parallel, blinded, clinical trial of treatments. The general objective of this study is to analyze and compare the short-term results, during a 4-week follow-up, of two different treatments in patients with chronic nonspecific neck pain.

The treatments to be applied are Global Postural Reeducation (GPR) and specific therapeutic exercise, applied during 8 treatment sessions in 4 weeks. These treatments will be applied by a physiotherapist with clinical experience in the treatment of cervical pain.

During the study, 4 evaluations will be carried out to assess the effects of the interventions on pain, disability, standing postural control and neuromuscular behavior of the cervical muscles ((1) Baseline (pre-intervention); 2) Second pre-intervention (1 week later); 3) 1st post-intervention after four sessions (1+2 weeks later); 4) Final, 2nd post-intervention (1+4 weeks later))

Inclusion Criteria:

• Non-specific chronic neck pain (neck or upper shoulder pain that is not related to a known pathology or injury, with an evolution of at least 12 weeks)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Specific cause of cervical pain (systemic, traumatic, rheumatic pathology, discal pathology,...)
• Central or peripheral neurological signs
• Cognitive impairment to follow instructions during the evaluations or interventions
• History of cervical surgery
• Treatment of physical therapy in the last 3 months
• Pharmacologic treatment during the study