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Sensorimotor disturbances in neck disorders affecting postural stability, head and eye movement control
1Neck Pain and Whiplash Research Unit, Division of Physiotherapy, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia. j.treleaven@shrs.uq.edu.au
Manual Therapy
|August 19, 2007
Summary
Neck disorders disrupt cervical receptors, affecting sensorimotor control and leading to issues like dizziness. Assessing and managing these cervical somatosensory changes is crucial for effective neck pain treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Orthopedics
- Physiology
Background:
- Cervical spine receptors connect to vestibular and visual systems, influencing central nervous system function.
- Dysfunction in cervical receptors due to neck disorders alters sensory input, impacting sensorimotor control integration, timing, and tuning.
- Neck disorders are associated with measurable deficits in cervical joint position sense, eye movement control, and postural stability, often accompanied by dizziness and unsteadiness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the significance of cervical somatosensory input and sensorimotor control in neck pain management.
- To emphasize that assessing and managing abnormal cervical somatosensory input is as vital as lower limb proprioceptive retraining.
- To present evidence-based recommendations for clinical assessment and management of sensorimotor control disturbances in neck disorders.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing evidence on cervical somatosensory function and sensorimotor control in neck disorders.
- Analysis of mechanisms altering afferent information from cervical receptors (e.g., trauma, pain, muscle spindle changes).
- Synthesis of findings to formulate clinical assessment and management strategies.
Main Results:
- Neck disorders demonstrably alter cervical afferent input, affecting sensorimotor control.
- Cervical joint position sense, eye movement control, and postural stability are measurably impaired in patients with neck disorders.
- Pain and other factors significantly impact cervical receptor function and nervous system processing.
Conclusions:
- Altered cervical somatosensory input is a key factor in sensorimotor disturbances associated with neck disorders.
- Clinical assessment and management of cervical sensorimotor control should be prioritized in neck pain patients.
- Evidence supports the integration of cervical somatosensory retraining into the rehabilitation of neck conditions.
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