The Relationship between Cervical range of motion, Cervical proprioception and Balance in patients with chronic stroke- A Correlational study

The present study titled “The relationship between cervical range of motion, cervical proprioception, and balance in patients with chronic stroke – A correlational study” focuses on understanding the association between neck function and postural control in stroke survivors. Stroke is one of the leading neurological disorders that results in long-term disability, commonly causing impairments in motor control, posture, and balance. Among these, balance deficits are particularly disabling in patients with chronic stroke. The cervical spine plays an important role in maintaining posture and balance by providing proprioceptive input and contributing to vestibulocolic reflex control. A reduction in cervical range of motion and impaired cervical proprioception may negatively influence postural stability, yet there is limited evidence exploring this relationship in individuals with chronic stroke. The purpose of this study is to determine whether cervical range of motion, cervical proprioception, and balance are related in patients with chronic stroke. The objectives are to assess cervical range of motion using goniometry, evaluate cervical proprioception through the Cervical Joint Position Error Test, measure balance using the Timed Up and Go Test, and correlate these variables. This correlational study will include 31 patients aged 40 to 70 years with ischemic middle cerebral artery chronic stroke of more than six months duration. The instruments used will be a goniometer, the Cervical Joint Position Error Test, and the Timed Up and Go Test. Data analysis will be performed using the Pearson correlation coefficient or Spearman’s test in case of non-normal data distribution, with a significance level set at p less than 0.05. Clinically, establishing this relationship could provide valuable insights for developing targeted rehabilitation strategies such as cervical exercises to improve balance and reduce the risk of falls in stroke survivors. The null hypothesis states that there will be no significant relationship between cervical range of motion, cervical proprioception, and balance in patients with chronic stroke, while the alternative hypothesis proposes that a significant relationship exists between these factors.