The effect of stabilization exercise training on pain and functional status in patients with cervical radiculopathy

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus about treatment of neck patients who have radicular symptoms. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of stabilization exercise training on pain and functional status in patients with cervical radiculopathy. METHODS: The patients (n = 32) with cervical radiculopathy were randomized to two groups as follows: Stabilization exercise group (Group 1; n = 18); Home-exercise group (Group 2; n = 16). The patients were evaluated with visual analog scale, Neck Disability Index, SF-36 (Short-Form), Corbin postural assessment scale and hand grip at baseline, after treatment at 4th week and 3rd month. RESULTS: At baseline, there were no statistically differences between groups in terms of evaluated parameters (p > 0.05). After treatment and three months later, pain and Neck Disability Index decreased; Corbin postural scores, hand grip and SF-36 scores improved statistically in both groups (p < 0.05). Changes of the measurements in both groups were similar and there were no significant differences between group 1 and group 2 at 4th week and 3rd month (p > 0.05) except postural scores. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that stabilization exercise training could be an effective intervention for decreasing pain and improving quality of life and posture in patients with cervical radiculopathy.