Personalized, 3-Dimensional, Computerized Mobilization of the Cervical Spine for the Treatment of Chronic Neck Pain - A Pilot Study

Background: Previous studies have shown that computerized mobilization of the cervical spine (CMCS) is safe and potentially effective treatment for chronic neck pain (CNP). Objective: The investigation of safety, clinical outcome, and changes of specific physiological parameters, in CNP patients, treated with individualized, 3-dimensional CMCS. Participants: Nine patients with CNP. Interventions: A cradle capable of CMCS was utilized. Each participant underwent individualized treatment sessions, lasting 20 min each, carried out biweekly over 6 weeks. Main Outcome Measurements: Pain visual analog scale (VAS), Neck disability index (NDI), pressure pain thresholds (PPT), cervical range of motion (CROM), joint position error (JPE), forward neck tilt (FNT), and flexion relaxation ratio (FRR). Results: Minor side effects encountered during the study. Comparing baseline measurements with measurements after treatment completion: VAS scores dropped by 2.3 points (p=0.04). NDI improved, but this improvement was not significant (p=0.086). CROM increased, on the average, by 11% but this increase was insignificant (p=0.061). JPE decreased from 2.88° to 1.14° (p<0.01). PPT increased from 1.27 kg/cm2 to 2.44 kg/cm2 (p=0.043). FNT insignificantly decreased from 20.36 cm to 19.02 cm (p=0.104). Left-sided FRR significantly increased (p=0.017). Conclusions: This study provides preliminary evidence that suggest that personalized, 3-dimensional, CMCS is a safe treatment. This novel treatment may positively change cervical neuromuscular control, and the processing of proprioceptive and nociceptive information.