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Background: Neck pain is one of the most burdensome chronic musculoskeletal problems globally. Impaired proprioception is associated with chronic nonspecific neck pain as the structures of the cervical spine are crucial for proprioception and balance. There is a paucity of literature examining objective measures of balance and postural sway in patients with nonspecific neck pain. Methods: This study was observational consisting 126 individuals (63 cases and 63 controls) who were recruited using convenience sampling. The demographics of the samples were collected and the postural and balance impairment was assessed using Biodex Balance SD. Mean, Median, and SD were obtained and the inferential analysis was done using the Whitney U Test and the level of significance was accepted at p < 0.05. Results: The subjects with neck pain showed had a lower static stability index, static sway index, static stability index—forward backward and static sway index lateral scores than the normal counterparts. There are significant differences in the overall static stability index (p < 0.001). There was a significant difference in static sway index (p = 0.003) and static stability index lateral (p = 0.004). There was no significant difference for static sway index forward and backward (p = 0.550) and lateral sway index (p = 0.711). Conclusion: Subjects with neck pain had a lower static stability index, static sway index, static stability index—forward backward, and static sway index lateral scores than the normal counterparts and there was a significant difference between the static sway and static stability index in forward and backward directions as well as in lateral direction. These findings may help to assess the specific balance parameters and address the underlying causes of balance issues in patients with neck pain and also provide a comprehensive care to the patients. Clinical Trial Registration: The trial was registered with CTRI India with registration number: CTRI/2022/07/044222. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the effect of neck-specific exercise (NSE) compared to prescribed physical activity (PPA) on headache and dizziness in individuals with cervical radiculopathy (CR). Also, to investigate associations between headache or dizziness and pain, neck muscle endurance (NME), neck mobility, physical activity, and fear avoidance beliefs. Individuals randomized to either NSE or PPA were selected to a headache subgroup (n = 59) and/or a dizziness subgroup (n = 73). Data were evaluated, according to headache and/or dizziness outcomes at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12-month follow-ups. No significant between-group differences were found between NSE and PPA in either subgroup. In the headache subgroup, significant within-group improvements were seen at all follow-ups for NSE (p <.001) and from baseline to 3 (p =.037) and 12 (p =.003) months for PPA. For dizziness, significant within-group improvements were seen from baseline to 3 months for NSE (p =.021) and from baseline to 3 (p =.001) and 6 (p =.044) months for PPA. Multiple regression models showed significant associations at baseline between headache intensity and neck pain (adjusted R-square = 0.35, p <.001), and for dizziness with neck pain and dorsal NME (adjusted R-square = 0.34, p <.001). NSE and PPA show similar improvements in headache intensity and dizziness in individuals with CR. Headache intensity is associated with neck pain, and dizziness with neck pain and dorsal NME, highlighting the importance of these factors when evaluating headache and dizziness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systematically evaluate the comparative effectiveness of dry needling (DN) or local acupuncture to various types of wet needling (WN) for musculoskeletal pain disorders (MPD). Seven databases (PubMed, PEDro, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) were searched following PROSPERO registration. Randomized clinical trials were included if they compared DN or local acupuncture with WN for MPD. Primary outcomes were pain and/or disability. The Revised Cochrane Collaboration tool (RoB 2.0) assessed the risk of bias. Twenty-six studies were selected. Wet Needling types included cortisone (CSI) (N = 5), platelet-rich plasma (PRP) (N = 6), Botox (BoT) (N = 3), and local anesthetic injection (LAI) (N = 12). Evidence was rated as low to moderate quality. Results indicate DN produces similar effects to CSI in the short-medium term and superior outcomes in the long term. In addition, DN produces similar outcomes compared to PRP in the short and long term and similar outcomes as BoT in the short and medium term; however, LAI produces better pain outcomes in the short term. Evidence suggests the effectiveness of DN to WN injections is variable depending on the injection type, outcome time frame, and diagnosis. In addition, adverse event data were similar but inconsistently reported. PROSPERO Registration: 2019 CRD42019131826 Dry needling produces similar effects for pain and disability in the short and medium term compared to cortisone, Botox, and platelet-rich plasma injections. Local anesthetic injection may be more effective at reducing short-term pain. Long-term effects on pain and disability are similar between dry needling and platelet-rich plasma injections, but dry needling may produce better long-term outcomes than cortisone injections. The available adverse event data is similar between dry and wet needling. The conclusions from this study may be beneficial for patients and clinicians for considering risk and cost benefit analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]