Comparative Effects of Modified Cervical Retraction and Motor Control Therapeutics Exercises on Pain, Range of Motion and Functional Disability in Patients With Cervical Spondylosis

Cervical spondylosis is a chronic degenerative process of the cervical spine which affects the vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs and causes herniated intervertebral discs, osteophytes, and ligament hypertrophy. It is commonly seen in patients between the ages of 40 and 60. Neck pain not only imposes a notable burden on individuals in the society, but also affects families, the healthcare and economic systems of countries. In 2017, age-standardized prevalence, annual incidence, and years lived with disability from neck pain were estimated at 3551, 807, and 352 per 100,000 population worldwide, respectively Patients seeking medical help for this condition primarily complain of neck pain and/or stiffness. This pain is considered the second most common complaint post low back pain and increased by neck movements especially hyperextension and side bending Currently, there are several therapeutic approaches, either pain relievers or non-medicinal treatments for the management of cervical spondylosis and its associated pain and disability Pain medications mainly include non-steroids anti-inflammatory drugs and narcotics with exercise therapy, massage, physiotherapy, and local injections are among the most common non-medicinal therapies. Evidence suggests that exercise therapy plays a role in improving neck pain and disability of patients with cervical spondylosis. Besides, thanks to being non-invasive and profitable, exercise therapy is commonly used in patient rehabilitation Therapeutic exercises include various workouts such as proprioceptive exercises, stability exercises, strength exercises (dynamic and isometric) and endurance exercises. Neck retraction helps recover the lordotic curve in the lower cervical portion, but kyphotic changes may occur at the upper cervical level. The motor control exercises are the therapeutic approach which mainly focuses on motor control, activation of deep cervical muscles, and aims to retrain the optimal control and coordination of the cervical muscles Apart from the fact that clinical guidelines suggest therapeutic exercises as an integral part of managing neck pain and disability, prescribing the most advantageous exercise therapy has yet been controversial and even current guidelines do not offer specific recommendations on the preferred type and dosage of exercises