Immediate effect of grade II cervical rotation technique on joint position sense in subjects with and without non-specific pain

Abstract

Introduction: Passive joint mobilisation in individuals with neck pain has recognised effectiveness in relieving pain and increasing joint range. However, there are few studies on its influence on proprioceptive capacity. Objective(s): To study the immediate effect of grade II cervical rotation technique on joint position sense in young adults with and without unilateral neck pain of non-specific origin. Methods: A double-blind quasi-experimental study was conducted in a convenience sample of 37 subjects (18-24, both sexes), divided into 2 groups: 22 pain-free and 15 with neck pain. The Cervical Range of Motion device was used to evaluate the active cervical joint position sense at 30⁰ of right and left rotation, before and immediately after the performance of Maitland’s joint cervical rotation grade II mobilisation technique (four mobilisations of 30 seconds each). The test was repeated six times for each side. The absolute and variable errors were calculated using the t-test for comparison between groups and moments, with a significance level of 5%. Results: Significant differences were observed only between groups in the variable error in left rotation after performing the technique, and between moments in the left and right rotation in the pain-free group. However, error magnitudes were equal to or less than 1⁰ on average. Conclusion: The grade II cervical rotation technique does not seem to produce clinically relevant immediate effects on repositioning accuracy and consistency, evaluated at 30⁰ of rotation.