Comparison of Somatosensory Versus Endurance-strength Exercise in Patients With Chronic Neck Pain

Comparison of Somatosensory Exercise Versus Endurance-strength Exercise in Patients With Chronic Neck Pain: a Randomized Clinical Trial

Aim: To compare the effects of somatosensory exercise vs endurance-strength exercise on the deep cervical flexor muscles on pain and perceived disability in patients with chronic neck pain.

Study design: Protocol of a clinical trial, controlled, parallel and a blinded assessor.

Population: Subjects aged 18 to 65 years with neck pain of 3 or more months of evolution.

The study will be carried out at the Faculty of Nursing and Physiotherapy of the University of Alcalá. A total of 60 subjects with nonspecific chronic neck pain will be selected and randomly assigned into two intervention groups. The first group will perform a somatosensory exercise program and a second group will perform activation and endurance-strength exercises of the deep cervical flexors. The duration of the intervention will be 8 weeks, with 6 sessions of physical therapy and daily home exercise. The variables pain, pressure pain threshold, disability, endurance-strength, proprioception, quality of life, kinesiophobia, quality of sleep and depression will be analyzed. Measurements will be taken pre-treatment, post-treatment and a follow-up at 3 months.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Subjects of age between 18 and 65 years
• Neck pain of 3 or more months of evolution

Exclusion Criteria:

• Cervical Disability Index less than 15/50
• Infection
• Oncological processes
• Neck or arm surgery
• Neck or arm trauma
• Positive neurological signs
• Rheumatic diseases