title: The efficacy of forward head correction on nerve root function and pain in cervical spondylotic radiculopathy: a randomized trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of forward head posture correction on pain and nerve root function in cases of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized controlled study with six months follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  University research laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-six patients with unilateral lower cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (C5-C6 and C6-C7) and craniovertebral angle measured less than or equal to 50° were randomly assigned to an exercise or a control group.
  
  
  METHODS
  The control group (n = 48) received ultrasound and infrared radiation, whereas the exercise group (n = 48) received a posture corrective exercise programme in addition to ultrasound and infrared radiation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The peak-to-peak amplitude of dermatomal somatosensory evoked potentials, craniovertebral angle, visual analogue scale were measured for all patients at three intervals (before treatment, after 10 weeks of treatment, and at follow-up of six months).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant difference between groups adjusted to baseline value of outcome at 10 weeks post-treatment for craniovertebral angle, pain, C6 and C7 peak-to-peak amplitude of dermatomal somatosensory evoked potentials P = 0.000, 0.01, 0.000, 0.001 respectively and at follow-up for all previous variables (P = 0.000).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Forward head posture correction using a posture corrective exercise programme in addition to ultrasound and infrared radiation decreased pain and craniovertebral angle and increased the peak-to-peak amplitude of dermatomal somatosensory evoked potentials for C6 and C7 in cases of lower cervical spondylotic radiculopathy.
authors.affiliation: Basic Science Department, Faculty of Physical therapy, Cairo University, Egypt.
authors.forename: Aliaa A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Diab
authors.forename: Ibrahim M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Moustafa
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004534:Egypt; D005073:Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006257:Head / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007259:Infrared Rays / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D055009:Spondylosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy