The effect of normalizing the sagittal cervical configuration on dizziness, neck pain, and cervicocephalic kinesthetic sensibility: a 1-year randomized controlled study
The effect of normalizing the sagittal cervical configuration on dizziness, neck pain, and cervicocephalic kinesthetic sensibility: a 1-year randomized controlled study
Authors
- Ibrahim M Moustafa
- Aliaa A Diab
- Deed E. Harrison
Publication
European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine. 2017, 53: 57-71.
Article Link
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cervicogenic dizziness is a disabling condition commonly associated with
cervical dysfunction. Although the growing interest with the importance of normal sagittal
configuration of cervical spine, the missing component in the management of cervicogenic
dizziness might be altered structural alignment of the cervical spinal region itself.
AIM: To investigate the immediate and long-term effects of a 1-year multimodal program, with the addition of cervical lordosis restoration and anterior head translation (AHT) correction, on the severity of dizziness, disability, cervicocephalic kinesthetic sensibility, and cervical pain in patients with cervicogenic dizziness.
DESIGN: A randomized controlled study with a 1-year and 10-week follow-up.
SETTING: University research laboratory.
POPULATION: 72 (25 female) patients between 40 and 55 years with cervicogenic dizziness, a definite hypolordotic cervical spine and AHT posture were randomly assigned to the control or an experimental group.
METHODS: Both groups received the multimodal program; additionally, the experimental group received the denneroll TM cervical traction. Outcome measures included AHT distance, cervical lordosis, dizziness handicap inventory (DHI), severity of dizziness, dizziness frequency, head repositioning accuracy (HRA) and cervical pain. Measures were assessed at three time intervals: baseline, 10 weeks, and 1 year after the 10 week follow up.
RESULTS: Significant group x time effects at both the 10 week post treatment and the 1-year follow up were identified favoring the experimental group for measures of cervical lordosis (P<0.0005) and anterior head translation (P<0.0005). At 10 weeks, the between group analysis showed equal improvements in dizziness outcome measures, pain intensity, and HRA; DHI scale (P=0.5), severity of dizziness (P=0.2), dizziness frequency (P= .09), HRA (P= ,1) and neck pain (P=0.3),. At the 1 year follow-up, the between group analysis identified statistically significant differences for all of the measured variables including anterior head translation (2.4 cm [-2.3, -1.8], P<.0005), cervical lordosis (-14.4° [-11.6, -8.3], P<.0005), dizziness handicap inventory (29.9 [-34.4, -29.9], P<.0005), severity of dizziness (5.4 [-5.9, -4.9], P<.0005), dizziness frequency (2.6 [-3.1, -2.5], P<.0005) ,HRA for RT rotation ( 2.8[-3.9 -3.3], P<.005) ,HRA for LT rotation( 3.1 [-3.5 -3.4, P<.0005] , neck pain (4.97 [-5.3, -4.3], P<.0005); indicating greater improvements in the experimental group.
CONCLUSION: The addition of denneroll TM cervical extension traction to a multimodal
program positively affected pain, cervicocephalic kinesthetic sensibility, dizziness management outcomes at long term follow up.
CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: Appropriate physical therapy rehabilitation for
cervicogenic dizziness should include structural rehabilitation of the cervical spine (lordosis and head posture correction), as it might to lead greater and longer lasting improved function.
- Ibrahim M Moustafa
- Aliaa A Diab
- Deed E. Harrison
European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine. 2017, 53: 57-71.
BACKGROUND: Cervicogenic dizziness is a disabling condition commonly associated with
cervical dysfunction. Although the growing interest with the importance of normal sagittal
configuration of cervical spine, the missing component in the management of cervicogenic
dizziness might be altered structural alignment of the cervical spinal region itself.
AIM: To investigate the immediate and long-term effects of a 1-year multimodal program, with the addition of cervical lordosis restoration and anterior head translation (AHT) correction, on the severity of dizziness, disability, cervicocephalic kinesthetic sensibility, and cervical pain in patients with cervicogenic dizziness.
DESIGN: A randomized controlled study with a 1-year and 10-week follow-up.
SETTING: University research laboratory.
POPULATION: 72 (25 female) patients between 40 and 55 years with cervicogenic dizziness, a definite hypolordotic cervical spine and AHT posture were randomly assigned to the control or an experimental group.
METHODS: Both groups received the multimodal program; additionally, the experimental group received the denneroll TM cervical traction. Outcome measures included AHT distance, cervical lordosis, dizziness handicap inventory (DHI), severity of dizziness, dizziness frequency, head repositioning accuracy (HRA) and cervical pain. Measures were assessed at three time intervals: baseline, 10 weeks, and 1 year after the 10 week follow up.
RESULTS: Significant group x time effects at both the 10 week post treatment and the 1-year follow up were identified favoring the experimental group for measures of cervical lordosis (P<0.0005) and anterior head translation (P<0.0005). At 10 weeks, the between group analysis showed equal improvements in dizziness outcome measures, pain intensity, and HRA; DHI scale (P=0.5), severity of dizziness (P=0.2), dizziness frequency (P= .09), HRA (P= ,1) and neck pain (P=0.3),. At the 1 year follow-up, the between group analysis identified statistically significant differences for all of the measured variables including anterior head translation (2.4 cm [-2.3, -1.8], P<.0005), cervical lordosis (-14.4° [-11.6, -8.3], P<.0005), dizziness handicap inventory (29.9 [-34.4, -29.9], P<.0005), severity of dizziness (5.4 [-5.9, -4.9], P<.0005), dizziness frequency (2.6 [-3.1, -2.5], P<.0005) ,HRA for RT rotation ( 2.8[-3.9 -3.3], P<.005) ,HRA for LT rotation( 3.1 [-3.5 -3.4, P<.0005] , neck pain (4.97 [-5.3, -4.3], P<.0005); indicating greater improvements in the experimental group.
CONCLUSION: The addition of denneroll TM cervical extension traction to a multimodal
program positively affected pain, cervicocephalic kinesthetic sensibility, dizziness management outcomes at long term follow up.
CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: Appropriate physical therapy rehabilitation for
cervicogenic dizziness should include structural rehabilitation of the cervical spine (lordosis and head posture correction), as it might to lead greater and longer lasting improved function.
