Cerviocobrachial Syndrome:

Abstract

Objectives: Our study evaluated the neck function in a group of patients with chronic cerviobrachial syndrome [CBS] and a group of healthy controls. A second objective was to study the effect of neck muscle training on CBS patients. Methods: We measured range of movement [ROM], maximum voluntary contraction [MVC] and isometric endurance at 60% of MVC [IE]. Measurements were made during dorsal, ventral and lateral flexion. ROM was measured with an electric goniometer, and MVC was measured by a strain guage dynamometer. A visual analog scale [VAS] was used to monitor pain perception. Results: In healthy subjects, ROM, MVS, and IE attained the highest values during dorsal flexion, whereas values obtained during ventral and lateral flexion were of comparable magnitude. Patients with CBS showed a decrease in ROM during dorsal flexion, a decrease in MVC in all directions and a decrease in IE during dorsal and lateral flexion. Two months of intensive neck muscle training improved both MVC- and VAS-values. Conclusions: Our results are in accordance with findings in studies of the trunk musculature. The reestablishment of muscular strength and agonist/antagonist ratios appears to be of therapeutic value in CBS, as has been the case with chronic low back rehabilitation.