Effects of Stabilization Exercises on Head Posture, Vocal Efficiency and Pain in Patients with Nonspecific Chronic Neck Pain.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the effects of cervical stabilization and conventional exercise programs on phonatory efficiency, head posture, pain intensity, and neck-related disability in individuals with nonspecific chronic neck pain (NSCNP).

METHODS

Thirty-eight patients were included in this study. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with patients diagnosed with NSCNP. These assessments were performed twice, before and after treatment. Patients with cronic neck pain were randomly divided into two groups: the Cervical Stabilization Exercise Group (n = 20, male:3, female:17) and the Traditional Exercise Group (n = 18, male:4, female:14). Head posture (craniocervical angle, sagittal head tilt angle), pain, and vocal efficiency were measured at baseline and completion. Participants were assigned to either a stabilization exercise group or a control group receiving conventional exercises. Outcome measures included demographics and clinical characteristics, head and cervical posture, pain and disability indices, and voicing efficiency parameters such as maximum phonation time (MPT) and s/z ratio. Acoustic voice measures and self-reported voice handicap index were also assessed.

RESULTS

The results of the study indicated that stabilization exercises were more effective than traditional exercises in improving parameters on the McGill Pain Scale, Craniocervical Angle, Neck Pain and Disability Scale, and MPT. Acoustic measures show no change in any voice parameters for both groups. Furthermore, cervical stabilization and traditional exercises were found to correct the cervical posture of the patients, reduce their pain (P < 0.05), and improve their voicing efficiency (MPT) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Cervical stabilization exercises are more effective than conventional exercises in improving postural alignment, pain, disability, and phonatory efficiency in individuals with NSCNP. The observed improvements in phonatory efficiency are likely related to enhanced respiratory-laryngeal coordination rather than direct changes in vocal fold function. These findings suggest that cervical stabilization may support the functional components of voice production, although its impact on acoustic voice quality appears limited in non-dysphonic populations.