Affiliations: [a] Dept. of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA | [b] Spaulding-Newton Wellesley Rehabilitation Center, Newton, MA, USA | [c] Dept. of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA | [d] Dept. of Neurology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Brian J. Krabak, M.D., Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 5601 Loch Raven Boulevard, Suite 403, Baltimore, MD 21239, USA. Tel.: +1 410 532 4703; Fax: +1 410 532 4719; E-mail: bkrabak@jhmi.edu
Abstract: Purpose:The purpose of this retrospective, pilot study was to assess changes in dizziness, pain and function in subjects undergoing an outpatient rehabilitation program focusing on cervical pain. Methods:Fifteen subjects with chronic cervical myofascial pain and concurrent dizziness of suspected cervical origin completed a retrospective questionnaire. Improvement in pain, dizziness and function were recorded on a visual analog scale (VAS) in response to a non-standardized rehabilitation program involving modalities, stretching, strengthening, trigger point injections and aerobic conditioning. Results:Subjects reported an average VAS improvement in dizziness of 59% (± 29), pain 69% (± 21%) and function 71% (± 19). Seven subjects experienced reproduction of their dizziness and pain during trigger point injections. Overall, twenty seven percent reported no further episodes of dizziness. All subjects experienced a decrease in the frequency of episodes of dizziness. There was a correlation between dizziness and pain (r=0.58), dizziness and function (r=0.60), and pain and function (r=0.74). Conclusion:Subjects with dizziness and cervical myofascial pain of suspected cervical origin may experience symptomatic and functional improvement through a rehabilitative program addressing their cervical pain. Future prospective, randomized controlled studies are needed to address which intervention is the most effective.
