Cervical Stabilization Exercises in Patients With Spondyloarthritis

Effect of Cervical Stabilization Exercises on Cervical Position Error in Patients With Spondyloarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of cervical stabilization exercises on cervical positioning error in spondyloarthritis patients.

The position sense and kinesthesia are defined as proprioception. In other words, proprioception allows being aware of positions of the body parts in the space. Muscles, tendons, joint capsules are source of proprioception.

Possible damage to these structures due to inflammation may cause diminished proprioception sense. Decreased proprioception was shown for cervical region in axial spondyloarthritis patients in a recent study.

Different exercise programs may help increasing proprioception. Therefore, the aim of the present study is investigate the effects of cervical stabilization exercises on cervical proprioception accuracy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being diagnosed as axial spondyloarthritis according to ASAS criteria
• Being able to understand and follow the exercise commands
• Willingness to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Trauma history related to cervical region
• A completed ankylosis in cervical region
• Surgery history related to cervical region
• Any vestibular disorders
• Upper extremity involvement other than axial spondyloarthritis