Effects of Biofeedback Based Deep Neck Flexion Exercise on Neck Pain: Meta-analysis
Previous studies have reported that deep neck flexor (DNF) exercise can improve neck problems, including neck pain, forward head posture, and headache, by targeting the deep and superficial muscles of the neck. Despite the prevailing opinion across studies, the benefits of DNF can vary according...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Korean Research Society of Physical Therapy
2021-02-01
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| Series: | Physical Therapy Korea |
| Subjects: |
| Summary: | Previous studies have reported that deep neck flexor (DNF) exercise can improve neck problems,
including neck pain, forward head posture, and headache, by targeting the deep and
superficial muscles of the neck. Despite the prevailing opinion across studies, the benefits of
DNF can vary according to the type of neck problems and the outcome measures adopted,
ranging from positive outcomes to non-significant benefits. A meta-analysis was conducted in
this study to assess conclusive evidence of the impact of DNF exercise on individuals with neck
problems. We used PUBMED, MEDLINE, NDSL, EMBASE, and Web of Science to search for
primary studies and the key terms used in these searches were “forward head posture (FHP),”
“biofeedback,” “pressure biofeedback unit,” “stabilizer,” “headache,” and “neck pain.” Twenty-
four eligible studies were included in this meta-analysis and were coded according to the
type of neck problems and outcome measures described, such as pain, endurance, involvement
of neck muscle, craniovertebral angle (CVA), neck disability index (NDI), cervical range
of motion (CROM), radiographs of the neck, posture, strength, endurance, and headache disability
index. The overall effect size of the DNF exercise was 0.489. The effect sizes of the neck
problems were 0.556 (neck pain), –1.278 (FHP), 0.176 (headache), and 1.850 (mix). The effect
sizes of outcome measures were 1.045 (pain), 0.966 (endurance), 0.894 (deep neck flexor),
0.608 (superficial neck flexor), 0.487 (CVA), 0.409 (NDI), and 0.252 (CROM). According to the
results of this study, DNF exercise can effectively reduce neck pain. Thus, DNF exercise is highly
recommend as an effective exercise method for individuals suffering from neck pain. |
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| ISSN: | 1225-8962 2287-982X |