Affiliations: University of Miami, School of Medicine, Department of Physical Therapy, Coral Gables, FL, USA
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Ira M. Fiebert, PhD, PT, University of Miami, Department of Physical Therapy, 5915 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 5th Floor, Coral Gables, FL 33146-2406, USA. Tel.: +1 305 284 4535; Fax: +1 305 284 6128; E-mail: ira@miami.edu
Abstract: Study design:Objective. To examine the effects of a four-week anti-gravity exercise program on cervical strength. Background. Home exercise programs are widely prescribed by physical therapists. This study tested the effectiveness of an unsupervised home exercise program designed to increase cervical muscle strength. Methods and measures:In this randomized, controlled clinical trial, a convenience sample of 48 male and female subjects was randomly assigned to receive a home exercise program (experimental group, n = 21) or no treatment (control group n = 27). Cervical muscle strength was measured before and after the intervention period using a MicroFET2 hand-held dynamometer. The experimental group was instructed to perform the cervical anti-gravity exercises, at home three, times a week for four weeks. Results:The treatment group demonstrated increased cervical muscle strength while strength of control group subjects remained essentially unchanged. The difference in the change in strength was statistically significant for motions except left rotation (p = 0.07). Strength gains in the treatment group ranged from 20 Conclusion:The home exercise program of anti-gravity cervical muscle strengthening exercises was effective in increasing cervical muscle strength in healthy young adults.
Keywords: cervical musculature, hand-held dynamometer, exercise program
