Cervical Outcome Measures: Testing for Postural Stability and Balance

Using the cervical range of motion (CROM) device to assess head repositioning accuracy in individuals with cervical radiculopathy in comparison to neck- healthy individuals

“…Results should nevertheless be compared with caution considering the use of different assessment methods and criterion for HRA impairment. HRA impairment in individuals with neck pain has commonly been associated with dysfunction in sensory input from cervical muscle spindles (Revel et al, 1991;Treleaven et al, 2003;Treleaven et al, 2006), although the underlying mechanisms remains unknown (Peterson, 2004;Humphreys, 2008). Impairment in HRA in the present study may reflect compromised sensorimotor function in individuals with CDD.…”

“…Individuals with cervical radiculopathy caused by disc disease (CDD) display reduced physical functioning and overall health (Peolsson et al, 2002;Daffner et al, 2003;Ylinen et al, 2003;Peolsson and Kjellman, 2007). Assessment of HRA is recommended in individuals with neck pain (Humphreys, 2008;Treleaven, 2008;Kristjansson and Treleaven, 2009), but to our knowledge, studies reporting this assessment have not previously been carried out in individuals with CDD.…”

The Effect of Cervical Spine Manipulation on Postural Sway in Patients With Nonspecific Neck Pain

“…This is reflected by the dense concentration of proprioceptive organs within cervical musculature and the extensive network of connections that cervical afferents form with numerous components of the postural control system. These include visual and vestibular centres, supraspinal centres, key cervical nuclei and several postural reflexes that contribute to maintaining homeostasis of the head, neck and body (36)(37)(38)(39). Considering the many systems that draw information from cervical afferents, it is evident that the integrity of this information is essential to ensure accurate sensorimotor processing and motor output.…”

High variability of the subjective visual vertical test of vertical perception, in some people with neck pain – Should this be a standard measure of cervical proprioception?

“…Altered afferent cervical input or proprioception to the sensorimotor control system is thought to be responsible for these disturbances and the assessment and treatment of altered cervical proprioception and sensorimotor function is being recognized as an important component in management of neck pain (Treleaven, 2008;Kristjansson and Treleaven, 2009). A recent review of promising assessments of cervical proprioception for those with neck pain included cervical joint position and movement sense and the assessment of subjective visual vertical (SVV) using the computerized rod-and-frame test (CRFT) (Humphreys, 2008), however, to date, whilst the former tests are often used clinically, SVV is not, and research in this area has demonstrated inconsistent results (Bagust, 2005;Docherty et al, 2012).…”