Effect of neck-specific exercises with and without internet support on cervical range of motion and neck muscle endurance in chronic whiplash-associated disorders: analysis of functional outcomes of a randomized controlled trial

Authors

  • Gunnel Peterson Centre for Clinical Research Sörmland, Uppsala University, Eskilstuna, Sweden; Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Physiotherapy, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
  • Emma Nilsing Strid University Health Care Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
  • Margaretha Jönsson Centre for Clinical Research Sörmland, Uppsala University, Eskilstuna, Sweden
  • Jesper Hävermark Centre for Clinical Research, Development and Education, County Council Uppsala, Sweden
  • Anneli Peolsson Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Physiotherapy, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; Occupational and Environmental Medicine Centre and Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Unit of Clinical Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2340/jrm.v56.34785

Keywords:

telemedicine, rehabilitation, whiplash injuries, neck pain, spine

Abstract

Objective: To compare the effects of a neck-specific exercise programme with internet support and 4 physiotherapist sessions (NSEIT) and the same neck-specific exercises supervised by a physiotherapist (NSE) on neck muscle endurance and cervical range of motion.

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Patients: A total of 140 participants with chronic whiplash-associated disorders grade II or grade III were randomly assigned to the NSEIT or NSE groups.

Methods: Outcomes were changes in active cervical range of motion, cranio-cervical flexion test, neck muscle endurance, and neck pain, at 3- and 15-month follow-ups.

Results: There were no significant differences between the NSEIT and NSE groups. There was a significant group-by-time inter-action effect in active cervical range of motion flexion/extension where the NSEIT group improved to 3-month follow-up, but the NSE group did not. Both groups were significantly improved over time in all other outcomes (p < 0.001) at 3- and 15-month follow-ups, with effect size between 0.64 and 1.35 in active cervical range of motion, cranio-cervical flexion test, dorsal neck muscle endurance, and neck pain, and effect size between 0.22 and 0.42 in ventral neck muscle endurance.

Conclusion: Both NSE and NSEIT led to improved neck function. Depending on the patients’ needs, either NSE or NSEIT could be used as treatment for patients with chronic whiplash-associated disorders.

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Published

2024-07-29

How to Cite

Peterson, G., Nilsing Strid, E., Jönsson, M., Hävermark, J., & Peolsson, A. (2024). Effect of neck-specific exercises with and without internet support on cervical range of motion and neck muscle endurance in chronic whiplash-associated disorders: analysis of functional outcomes of a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 56, jrm34785. https://doi.org/10.2340/jrm.v56.34785

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Vol. 56 (2024)

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Original Report

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Copyright (c) 2024 Gunnel Peterson, Emma Nilsing Strid, Margaretha Jönsson, Jesper Hävermark, Anneli Peolsson

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