Evaluation of a Cervical Stabilization Exercise Program for Pain, Disability, and Physical Impairments in University Violinists with Nonspecific Neck Pain

Abstract

Cervical stabilization exercises are frequently used to reduce pain, maximize function, and improve physical impairments for people with nonspecific neck pain. We conducted a single arm study to evaluate the effects of a home-based cervical stabilization exercise program for university violin players with nonspecific neck pain who frequently assume an asymmetrical neck posture and activate their superficial cervical flexors to stabilize the violin. Twenty violin players with nonspecific neck pain from university symphony orchestras participated in this study. All participants received assessments twice before the intervention and once immediately after a 6-week cervical stabilization exercise program. No significant differences were found between the two pretests before the intervention. After the intervention, the Numeric Rating Scale, the Neck Disability Index, the craniocervical flexion test, muscle endurance tests, cervical range of motion (all directions except flexion) tests, and cervicocephalic relocation tests (flexion and left rotation) showed improvements. The forward head posture indicated by the craniovertebral angle also slightly improved. The results of this single arm study suggest that cervical stabilization exercise is feasible and has the potential to improve physical health for collegiate violin players with nonspecific neck pain.

Keywords: neck pain; playing-related musculoskeletal disorders; stabilization exercise; violinists; young adults.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.

Figures

Figure 1

Marker placement and angle definition. (a) Craniovertebral angle was defined as the angle between the line connecting the tragus of the ear and the spinous process of the C7 and the horizontal line; (b) Frontal head tilt angle was defined as the angle between the midline of the head relative to the vertical line. Frontal shoulder angle was defined as the angle between the line connecting the left acromion and right acromion and the horizontal line; (c) Upper thoracic angle was defined as the angle between the line connecting the spinous processes of the T1 and T2 and the line connecting the spinous processes of the T6 and T7; (d) Scapular rotation angles were defined as the angle between the line connecting the superior and inferior scapular angles and the vertical line.

Figure 2

Six-week video-based exercises: (a) axial elongation exercise, (b) craniocervical flexion exercise, (c) craniocervical extension exercise, (d) rowing exercise, (e) Y exercise.