The effect of craniocervical flexor exercise on chronic neck pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Norollah Javdaneh, Esmaeil Mozafaripour, Ali Mohammadi et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the impact of craniocervical flexor (CCF) exercises on chronic neck pain in 1,166 participants across 25 randomized controlled trials. CCF exercises resulted in a moderate-to-large reduction in pain (SMD: -0.97) and moderate improvement in disability (SMD: -0.50), suggesting they may enhance pain management and functional outcomes in chronic neck pain patients.
Key findings
- CCF exercises led to a moderate-to-large pain reduction (SMD: -0.97) compared to other interventions.
- Combining CCF with other interventions resulted in a very large pain reduction (SMD: -1.70).
- Muscle endurance increased significantly (SMD: 1.55) with CCF exercises.
- Cervical flexion range of motion showed substantial improvement (SMD: 0.83).
Why it matters
The findings indicate that CCF exercises may be an effective component of treatment for chronic neck pain, potentially improving pain levels and functional abilities. Understanding these effects can guide clinicians in developing comprehensive rehabilitation strategies.
What to keep in mind
The study noted substantial heterogeneity, variable risk of bias, and diverse exercise protocols among the included trials.