Cervical Stabilization Exercises in Patients With Spondyloarthritis

Effect of Cervical Stabilization Exercises on Cervical Position Error in Patients With Spondyloarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of cervical stabilization exercises on cervical positioning error in spondyloarthritis patients.

The position sense and kinesthesia are defined as proprioception. In other words, proprioception allows being aware of positions of the body parts in the space. Muscles, tendons, joint capsules are source of proprioception. Possible damage to these structures due to inflammation may cause diminished proprioception sense. Decreased proprioception was shown for cervical region in axial spondyloarthritis patients in a recent study. Different exercise programs may help increasing proprioception. Therefore, the aim of the present study is investigate the effects of cervical stabilization exercises on cervical proprioception accuracy.

A progressive home-based cervical stabilization exercise program was delivered by sending messages and video instructions via a freeware and cross-platform messaging service (WhatsApp Messenger) in a weekly basis.

Home exercises were performed three times in a week for six weeks. Home exercises included range of motion exercises, coordination exercises and strengthening exercises. Repeats and durations of the exercises increased every week to provide progression.

Cervical position error method was used to determine the cervical proprioception accuracy. Cervical position error was evaluated in flexion, extension, rotation and lateral flexion directions and was calculated using a special formula. The results were analyzed as angles.

Inclusion Criteria: Being diagnosed as axial spondyloarthritis according to ASAS criteria Being able to understand and follow the exercise commands Willingness to participate in the study Exclusion Criteria: Trauma history related to cervical region A completed ankylosis in cervical region Surgery history related to cervical region Any vestibular disorders Upper extremity involvement other than axial spondyloarthritis

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