Efficiency of Modified Pilates Exercises in Patients With Chronic Neck Pain

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of modified pilates exercises on neck pain, deep neck flexor muscles edurance, joint position sense and functionality in patients with chronic neck pain.

50 individuals with Chronic Neck Pain not working will be included to our study. We will evaluate pain (with visual analog scale), deep neck flexors' endurance (with cranio-cervical flexure test using the pressure stabilizing feedback device), cervical range of motion and cervical proprioception (wit cervical range of motion device). Besides we will conduct a questionnaire (neck disability index) to get further knowledge about their functionality. Participants will be randomly allocated 2 groups consisting of 25 participants and these 2 groups will receive different interventions. Modified Pilates Exercise Group (MPEG) will be involved in a modified pilates exercise training for a total of 6 weeks a day, 2 days a week in the presence of a physiotherapist. The Control Group (KG) will receive daily routine advises to prevent neck pain and they will be asked about to apply these advises and not to make other changes in their life. The evaluations will be repeated and analyzed 2 times, pre-treatment and 6 weeks after treatment , and the effectiveness of the modified pilates exercises will be examined in the chronic neck pain. Our hypothesis is ''Modified pilates exercises have a positive effect on neck pain, range of motion, deep neck flexor muscles, joint position sense and function in patients with chronic neck pain.''

they will be involved in a modified pilates exercise training for a total of 6 weeks a day, 2 days a week.

This test will be measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score. VAS has 10-centimeter line corresponding to the amount of pain they experienced. "0" means "no pain" and "10" means "pain as bad as possible".

Neck disability index is a survey that has 10 different sections including Pain intensity, personal care, weight lifting, reading, headache, concentration, work, driving, sleeping and resting activitie.

Sagital plan photographs of the people will be taken and head and shoulder posture will be evaluated.

Joint position error of 6-direction (flexion, extension, right-left lateral flexion and right-left rotation) will be measured by cervical range of motion device (CROM device).

Inclusion Criteria: Having neck pain more than 3 months No physical therapy in last year No background with pilates exercises Being able to understand Turkish, treatment and evaluations. Being able to complete all the evaluations and treatment Exclusion Criteria: Fracture or surgery background with shoulder, cervical area or other extremities. Any systemic musculoskeletal diseases Existing chest deformities or scoliosis Cervical hernia, neuropathy or whiplash. Pregnancy Having pain above 7 in VAS Any other pain that could prevent people from doing exercises

Sahiner Picak G, Yesilyaprak SS. Effects of clinical pilates exercises in patients with chronic nonspecific neck pain: a randomized clinical trial. Ir J Med Sci. 2023 Jun;192(3):1205-1214. doi: 10.1007/s11845-022-03101-y. Epub 2022 Jul 20.