Effect of Kinetic Control Retraining on Neck Proprioception and Functional Outcome in Patients With Cervical Radiculopathy

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Cervical Radiculopathy

• Registration Number: NCT06803134
• Lead Sponsor: Cairo University

Brief Summary

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of kinetic control retraining on neck proprioception and functional outcome in patients with cervical radiculopathy.

Detailed Description

Cervical radiculopathy (CR), which is a normal result of degenerative changes such as cervical disc herniation and bone hyperplasia, is characterized by neck pain and radiating pain from the neck to the shoulder. Neck pain has a major physical, psychological, and socioeconomic impact, as it is the fourth most frequent cause of disability, preceded of low back pain, depression, and arthralgia. In fact, up to 50-70% of the entire population will experience (at least) one episode of neck pain clinically important throughout their life.

Prolonged or recurring stress exposure, pain catastrophism, and fear-avoidance behaviors can trigger variable responses to pain thresholds" intolerance depending on the magnitude of the individual stress response.

Regular physical exercise is a key factor for the prevention of many chronic diseases. Physical exercise (PE) can be used as a primary non-pharmacological clinical tool because it can improve antioxidant capacity, reduce oxidative stress and inflammation and increase energy efficiency. Depending on the volume, the intensity and the frequency of exercise, acute or chronic biochemical and physiological responses are induced. Once movement meets control, they can regain the choices lost in the presence of pain and give people the optimal choice in how they move, these choices are lost with movement impairment. So, the movement value is a central theme in the physical therapy profession and functional concepts which build on movement therapy. These concepts are built on kinetic control approach. This study may add missing information to the existing literature and suggests directions for the effect of kinetic control retraining on neck proprioception and functional outcome in patients with cervical radiculopathy.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2025-01-27
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-01-27
• Study First Posted: 2025-01-31
• Study Start: 2025-02-01
• Status Verified: 2025-04
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-04-26
• Last Update Posted: 2025-04-30
• Primary Completion: 2025-06-01
• Study Completion: 2025-06-15

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 44

Inclusion Criteria

• Forty Four patients suffering from chronic cervical unilateral radiculopathy (symptomatic duration) (3 months to 1year).
• Their age ranges 40-55 years, from both sexes.
• Body mass index (BMI) of less than 30 Kg/m2
• Cervical spondylosis (at the levels of C5-C6/C6-C7 confirmed by cervical MRI)..

Exclusion Criteria

• Cervical myelopathy with evidence of pyramidal, posterior column, and or spinothalamic tract lesions.
• Patients with decreased range of motion of cervical spine secondary to congenital anomalies, musculature contracture, or bony block.
• Previous cervical or shoulder surgery or trauma.
• Cervical instability caused by structural problem (e.g. ligament tear or spondylolithesis.
• Psychological problems interfering with the patient understanding of the orders, or patients who did not have direction preference.
• Vertebro-basilar artery insufficiency, diabetic neuropathy.
• Comorbidities that impact physical activity (e.g., cerebrovascular accidents, severe heart disease). - Double crush syndrome and thoracic outlet syndrome.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Evaluation of cervical proprioception using the cervical range of motion (CROM) device	8 weeks	Cervical proprioception will be assessed using the CROM device. Subjects will sit upright in a neutral head position with their trunk and shoulders secured by Velcro straps and will be blindfolded. The CROM unit will be calibrated to zero and secured on the head, with the magnetic yoke positioned on the shoulder. Two tests will be conducted: the Neutral Head Repositioning Test (NHR), where subjects rotate their heads left and return to neutral with accuracy measured in degrees, and the Target Head Repositioning Test (THR), where cervical range of motion will be tested, and subjects will reproduce a memorized target position. Each test will be repeated three times, with average angular displacement error calculated.
Assessment of deep neck flexors (DNFs) strength by craniocervical flexion test (CCFT) using pressure biofeedback unit (PBU)	8 weeks	The craniocervical flexion test, a valid and reliable tool for assessing deep neck flexor (DNF) muscle performance, involves positioning the participant in a crook-lying position with a pressure biofeedback unit (PBU) placed under the head. The participant holds the PBU's dial to guide the test, which progresses through five stages based on the pressure exerted at a neutral head position (22, 24, 26, 28, and 30 mmHg). Starting at 20 mmHg, participants perform a slow head nod to incrementally increase the pressure by 2 mmHg, holding each increment for three seconds. Baseline performance is the maximum pressure held correctly for three seconds without substitution, monitored by the tester through palpation of superficial flexors.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Evaluation of neck-related functional performance using the Arabic version of Neck Disability Index (NDI)	8 weeks	The patient will answer each question by marking the box that best describes their problem, using a six-point scale from 0 (no disability) to 5 (major disability). The total score, out of 50, will be calculated by summing the item scores, with higher scores indicating greater disability. The results will be interpreted as follows: 0-4 = no disability, 5-14 = mild disability, 15-24 = moderate disability, 25-34 = severe disability, and above 34 = complete disability.
Evaluation of neck pain intensity using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)	8 weeks	The subject will be asked to make a handwritten mark on a 100 mm line (10cm). This line represents a continuum between no pain or discomfort (zero), to the worst pain (10) that the patient could feel. Measurements from the starting point of the scale to the patients' marks will be recorded and interpreted as their pain intensity. The results will be interpreted as: no pain (0-4 mm), mild pain (5-44 mm), moderate pain (45-74 mm), and severe pain (75-100 mm).

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Horus University; 🇪🇬 Damietta, Egypt