The Effect of Ergonomic Latex Pillow on Head and Neck Posture and Muscle Endurance in Patients With Cervical Spondylosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

ObjectivesCervical pillows have frequently been reported to attenuate the symptoms of pain and disability. Although the main role of pillows is to optimize head and neck posture and relax the neck muscles, limited studies have examined the effectiveness of pillows from aspects beyond subjective outcome measures, especially their effect on head and neck posture and muscle performance. This study examines the effect of ergonomic latex pillow on the craniovertebral (CV) angle and cervical flexor and extensor muscle endurance in patients with cervical spondylosis. MethodsThis parallel-group, randomized, controlled trial was conducted from January to June 2017. The patients with cervical spondylosis were randomly allocated to the experimental and control groups, who both received identical standard physiotherapy 3 × a week for 4 weeks. The experimental group received an ergonomic latex pillow, but the control group was asked to continue sleeping on their usual pillow. The CV angle and flexor and extensor muscle endurance were measured before and after the intervention. The independent-sample t test was used to compare changes in the CV angle, whereas the Mann-Whitney test was used to compare changes in flexor and extensor muscle endurance between the groups, respectively. ResultsThe experimental group showed significant changes in the CV angle and extensor muscle endurance. A significant increase was observed in extensor muscle endurance in the experimental group compared with the control group. ConclusionThe ergonomic latex pillow may affect neck extensor muscle endurance and CV angle in patients with cervical spondylosis, although further studies are needed before any recommendations.