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OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted with the purpose of evaluating the inter-session reliability of new software to measure the diameters of the cervical multifidus muscle (CMM), both at rest and during isometric contractions of the shoulder abductors in subjects with neck pain and in healthy individuals. METHOD: In the present study, the reliability of measuring the diameters of the CMM with the Sonosynch software was evaluated by using 24 participants, including 12 subjects with chronic neck pain and 12 healthy individuals. The anterior-posterior diameter (APD) and the lateral diameter (LD) of the CMM were measured in a resting state and then repeated during isometric contraction of the shoulder abductors. Measurements were taken on separate occasions 3 to 7 days apart in order to determine inter-session reliability. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM), and smallest detectable difference (SDD) were used to evaluate the relative and absolute reliability, respectively. RESULTS: The Sonosynch software has shown to be highly reliable in measuring the diameters of the CMM both in healthy subjects and in those with neck pain. The ICCs 95% CI for APD ranged from 0.84 to 0.94 in subjects with neck pain and from 0.86 to 0.94 in healthy subjects. For LD, the ICC 95% CI ranged from 0.64 to 0.95 in subjects with neck pain and from 0.82 to 0.92 in healthy subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonographic measurement of the diameters of the CMM using Sonosynch has proved to be reliable especially for APD in healthy subjects as well as subjects with neck pain.

Context: Postural stability is essential for performing everyday activities. The central nervous system (CNS) must modify balance control to provide stability to intrinsic and external perturbations. Methods considered as the main candidates for ultimate promotion of neural plasticity could be used for rehabilitation to enhance motor performance. The Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) as a non-invasive brain stimulation tool is applied over the cortex to accentuate and/or accelerate neural effects on network connectivity. Objectives: This study aimed to address the impact of tDCS intervention on balance recovery. We postulated that tDCS induces neuroplasticity that is fundamental for refining motor behaviors such as postural stability during rehabilitation. Methods: The present review discusses the tDCS application over the important areas of the CNS that are responsible for the sensorimotor processing of balance-relevant information. We searched ProQuest, PubMed, Science Direct, Cochrane, and Google Scholar for randomized, controlled trials that assessed the efficacy of tDCS intervention in improving balance impairment following neurologic disorders and enhancing postural stability in a healthy population. Results: Recent studies provide insights into the effects of tDCS on postural stability. Based on the defined criteria, there is a positive response to tDCS, but the underlying neural mechanisms are yet unknown. We suggest that interventions promoting more neural plasticity are crucial for better balance training outcomes and improved effectiveness of rehabilitation programs. Conclusions: Balance recovery after tDCS needs to be more investigated. The tDCS might be considered as an adjunct preventive strategy to provide functional recovery and reduce the adverse effects of balance impairment.

[Purpose] Cervical vertigo as a common complaint is associated with some musculoskeletal disorders. However, to date, ultrasonographical parameters of cervical muscles in patients with cervical vertigo have not been investigated. This study was conducted to investigate size of cervical muscles in patients with cervical vertigo compared to healthy controls. [Participants and Methods] Thicknesses of cervical flexor and extensor muscles were evaluated through ultrasonography and results were compared between the patients and healthy controls by Independent Samples t-test or Mann-Whitney U nonparametric test. [Results] Results showed that, thickness of Longus Colli muscle was significantly different between the patients and healthy controls. [Conclusion] According to findings of the study, size of Longus Colli muscle is likely to be associated with etiology of cervical vertigo.