Published Paper Details:

BACKGROUND: Neck pain is musculoskeletal condition which is the leading cause of disability with high prevalence. Previous studies have shown that alteration in cervical proprioception is associated with the neck pain. It is evaluated using Joint Position Error (JPE) test which determines the person's ability to return his head to the predefined position after cervical movements. Exercise intervention are needed for the management of patients with neck pain and altered cervical proprioception. The objective of the study is to compare the Proprioceptive Training and Craniocervical Flexion (CCF) Training in reducing pain and improving Cervical Joint Position Sense. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 64 subjects were assessed and identified with mechanical neck pain and recruited for the study and randomly divided into two groups. In one group Proprioceptive Training and in another group Craniocervical Flexion Training had been given for 4 weeks. RESULTS: On comparison of proprioceptive training group and Craniocervical Flexion training group for pretest and posttest values of NPRS (P< 0.0001), JPE for right rotation (p<0.0001), left rotation (p<0.0001), extension (p<0.0001) and NDI (p<0.0001) Extremely significant difference found. On comparison between Proprioceptive training group and Craniocervical Flexion training group, there was significant difference found for NPRS(p=0.0373), JPE for Right rotation(p=0.0162), Left Rotation(p=0.0335), Extension(p=0.0372) and NDI(p=0.0173) CONCLUSION: This study showed that Proprioceptive training is more effective than Craniocervical Flexion training in improving Cervical Joint Position Sense and reducing patients perceived pain and disability.