Self-Kinematic Training for Flight-Associated Neck Pain: a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Area of Science:

• Aviation Medicine
• Sports Medicine
• Rehabilitation Science

Background:

• Flight-associated neck pain (FANP) significantly impacts fighter pilots, yet effective management strategies are limited.
• Self-kinematic training has shown promise in the general population, suggesting potential applicability for FANP.
• Investigating novel interventions is crucial for addressing the high prevalence and impact of FANP.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a virtual reality-based self-kinematic training program for reducing neck pain and disability in fighter pilots.
• To assess the impact of this training on kinematic performance, pain levels, health status, and isometric strength.
• To determine the feasibility and compliance rates of a self-directed training regimen in this population.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 45 fighter pilots diagnosed with FANP.
• Participants were assigned to either a control group or a training group (20 min/wk for 4 wk) using a personalized virtual reality self-kinematic program.
• Outcomes included neck disability index (NDI), pain (VAS), kinematic performance, health status, and isometric strength, assessed by blinded evaluators.

Main Results:

• Despite high baseline kinematic performance, compliance with the self-training program was poor.
• No significant improvements were observed in self-reported pain, disability, or isometric strength between groups.
• A correlation was found between exercise duration and improvement in neck disability index (NDI%), suggesting adherence is key.

Conclusions:

• The virtual reality self-kinematic training program was ineffective in improving neck pain and disability in fighter pilots, primarily due to low compliance.
• Kinematic performance may not be the primary factor in FANP, and self-directed training requires further investigation regarding adherence.
• Future interventions should consider supervised training and focus on intense strengthening exercises to enhance endurance against high G-forces experienced by pilots.