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Background: Cervical posture affects swallowing function through contractile and non‐contractile structures. Craniocervical flexor endurance training (CCFET), which focuses on the activation of deep cervical muscles, is used to ensure cervical posture stability. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of CCFET on the suprahyoid muscles (SH), which play an important role in swallowing function. Methods: Eighty healthy individuals (52 female and 28 male, mean age 21.77 ± 1.81 years) were recruited and randomly assigned to groups that underwent either deep cervical flexor (DCF) training with a pressure biofeedback unit (CCFET group, n = 41) or no intervention (control group, n = 39). The intervention was applied for 4 weeks (five sessions per week). Static endurance and activation of DCF muscles (Craniocervical Flexion Test, CCFT), tragus–wall distance (TWD) for forward head posture and surface electromyographic (sEMG) activation of suprahyoid muscles were evaluated. Results: The endurance and activation of the DCF muscles were significantly increased in the CCFET group (p = <.001). In the CCFET group, TWD significantly lower than the control group (p = <.001) Peak SH amplitude and mean SH amplitude were lower in the CCFET group compared to the control group (p =.013, p =.003). Conclusion: The study shows that 4 weeks of CCFET reduced SH muscle activation, allowing the same work to be done with fewer motor units. CCFET can be included in rehabilitation programs as an additional method that has an effect on the muscles involved in swallowing by providing cervical motor control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To compare how disability, fear of movement, psychosocial status and quality of life are affected in terms of low back-neck health status in three occupational groups using different work postures. METHOD: Three hundred thirty-nine individuals participated in this study from the following three different occupational groups: group A, where the individuals worked in a prolonged sitting position (secretaries), group B, where the individuals performed dynamic activities in a standing position (cleaning workers) and group C, where the individuals worked in a prolonged standing position (private security officers). The participants were evaluated by Million Visual Analog Scale, Neck Disability Index, Oswestry Disability Index, Nottingham Health Profile, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale. RESULTS: It was found that disability, emotional status and the quality of life were minimally affected, but kinesiophobia was increased in all of the occupational groups. In the group C, low back pain disability, quality of life and fear of movement were more affected than the other groups ( p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: For the occupational groups with long working years, the presence of kinesiophobia should be considered and cognitive-behavioural treatment methods should be recommended. In cleaning workers, low back pain is an important risk factor. Therefore, its awareness should be increased, and preventive programmes should be offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate cognitive function in individuals with chronic neck pain (CNP) and investigate the effects of different variables on cognition. The sociodemographic characteristics of the individuals who participated in this study were recorded. Pain intensity of the individuals was evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale, pain-related disability was evaluated with the Neck Disability Index and cognitive function was evaluated using Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). For this study, 95 patients with CNP were recruited. The mean age was 45.61 ± 11.14, and the median MoCA score was 24 (20–26), and 64.2% of the patients scored below the original cutoff (<26/30 points). The regression analysis showed that higher age and lower education levels were associated with lower MoCA scores. Education appeared to be the most influential variable. Younger participants (18–45) performed systematically better on naming, attention and language domains than their older counterparts (over 45). The findings suggest that age and education play an important role in MoCA total and domain scores in these patients. While treating these patients, assessment of cognitive function can be useful for effective pain management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Cervical stabilization exercises and local vibration may improve proprioception and balance and prevent musculoskeletal problems. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of local vibration and cervical stabilization exercises on balance, cervical joint position sense, and muscle performance in healthy participants. METHODS: Forty-eight healthy male participants without neck pain were included. The participants were randomly divided into three groups: a home exercise program lasting eight weeks to the cervical stabilization group; 60 s of vibration to the neck muscles of the local vibration group and a control group. Balance, joint position sense, and muscle performance were evaluated twice in all subjects, before and after the intervention. RESULTS: Joint position sense error values were decreased in both the local vibration and cervical stabilization groups. Balance was improved (p < 0.001) in the local vibration group while improvement in muscle performance parameters was only seen in the cervical stabilization group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The methods used in the present study may be used for improving the proprioceptive and vestibular components of balance in individuals with musculoskeletal problems such as cervical disc herniation, cervical spondylosis, or neck pain. However, given the limitations, much more research is needed to firmly establish these recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]