Study Summary

Sixty-two patients with chronic neck pain were randomized to receive cervical stabilization exercises plus Rocabado exercises or cervical stabilization exercises alone. The primary outcome of interest was neck disability measured by the Neck Disability Index (NDI). Secondary outcomes of interest included pain intensity, pressure pain threshold (PPT) and tolerance, cervical range of motion (ROM), proprioception, muscle endurance, and balance. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and immediately after 6 weeks of treatment. Overall, the results of the study revealed that both groups experienced significant improvements in pain, cervical ROM, muscle endurance, disability, balance, and proprioception. However, the Rocabado group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in PPT and tolerance, proprioception, and static and dynamic balance compared with cervical stabilization exercises alone. These findings suggest that adding jaw-focused exercises to cervical stabilization programs may provide additional clinically meaningful benefits for individuals with chronic neck pain.