Abstract
Purpose: This study aimed to analyze effects of and factors related to exercise therapy in patients with cervical degenerative disease using the McKenzie method.
Method: Fifty-two patients diagnosed with cervical degenerative disease at our hospital participated in this study. Patients were subjected to exercise therapy and education for daily neck posture based on mechanical diagnosis using the McKenzie method, and the directional preference was decided. The effect of this therapy was evaluated using the active ROM of cervical spines (hereafter, ROM), Neck Disability Index (NDI), JOACMEQ, VAS, and SF-8 before therapy and 1 week as well as 1, 2, and 3 months after therapy. Statistical analysis was performed using mixed-effects model for repeated measures. In addition, we analyzed which factors may correlate with the effects of exercise therapy.
Results: Compared with before therapy, ROM and VAS scores significantly improved 1 week after therapy. Compared with before therapy, NDI, JOACMEQ, and SF-8 scores significantly improved 1 month after therapy. Multifactorial analysis demonstrated that medication correlated with the treatment progress of extension ROM. Moreover, deskwork and cervical alignment correlated with ROM, VAS, NDI, and SF-8.
Conclusion: Effects of exercise therapy in patients with cervical degenerative disease based on mechanical diagnosis included significantly improved symptoms, cervical function, disabilities of daily living, and health-related QOL. These effects correlated with medication, deskwork, and cervical alignment. These results suggested that neck posture in daily life causes cervical disorders.
