Effects of home exercise program on endurance, disability and daily participation in non-specific neck pain

Neck pain affects the proprioception of the cervical region due to the involvement of the neuromuscular system. Muscle activation decreases with the affected deep sensation. Neural inhibition in muscles affects sensoriomotor inputs and motor control decreases. All of these can cause muscle spasm, decreased cervical mobility and functional limitation. The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between muscular endurance, disability level and life participation in patients with nonspecific neck pain (NSNP). This study involved 65 individuals with NSNP, randomized via closed envelope method into exercise and control groups. The exercise group underwent a four-week intervention, while the control group was provided an informative booklet explaining conditions that can affect neck health and how to respond to these conditions was provided. Demographic data questionnaire, cervical flexion/extension/deep flexion endurance tests, Visuel Analog Scale (VAS), Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire (NPNPQ) and Keele Participation Assessment (KPA) were applied to the participants. Our clinical trial, with the identifier number NCT05259358, was registered in the ClinicalTrials.gov database on January 15, 2022. After treatment, there was a statistical difference between the groups only in the NPNPQ scale (p < 0.005). In neck endurance tests, there was no statistical difference between the two groups before treatment (p > 0.005), but the increase in the exercise group after treatment was statistically more significant compared to the control group. As a result of home exercise program treatment in patients with NSNP, it was found that there was a positive change in muscular endurance, a decrease in the level of disability and a positive change in the level of participation in life.