Article

The aim of this study was to investigate whether isometric neck
extension exercise restores physiological cervical lordosis and reduces pain.
DESIGN: Sixty-five patients with loss of cervical lordosis were randomly assigned
to exercise (27 women, 7 men; mean age, 32.82 +/- 8.83 yrs) and control (26
women, 5 men; mean age,
33.48 +/- 9.67 yrs) groups.
Both groups received
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for 10 days. The exercise group received
additional therapy as a home exercise program, which consisted of isometric neck
extension for 3 mos. Neck pain severity and cervical lordosis were measured at
baseline and at 3 mos after baseline. RESULTS: Compared with baseline levels,
cervical lordosis angle was significantly improved in the exercise group (P <
0.001) but not in the control group (P = 0.371) at the end of 3 mos. Moreover,
the exercise group was significantly superior to the control group considering
the number of patients in whom cervical lordosis angle returned to physiological
conditions (85.2% vs. 22.5%; P < 0.001). At the end of 3 mos, pain intensity was
significantly reduced in both groups compared with baseline levels (for all, P <
0.001). Nevertheless, considering the change from baseline to month 3, the
reduction in pain was about twice in the exercise group compared with the control
group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Isometric neck extension exercise improves
cervical lordosis and pain.

Langue : ANGLAIS