Riassunto dello studio

One hundred fifty-two patients with chronic neck pain and sensorimotor deficits were randomized to receive either local neck treatment (NT) (n=38) or NT combined with sensorimotor training (joint position sense/oculomotor exercises, balance exercises, or both; n=114). The primary outcome of interest was changes in pain location, extent, and intensity. Secondary outcomes included disability, functional ability, and health-related quality of life. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, posttreatment, and at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups. Overall, the results showed that patients who received additional sensorimotor training experienced significantly greater improvements in pain outcomes at 6 and 12 months compared to those receiving NT alone. Clinical improvement in pain extent was moderately concordant with pain intensity and disability over time but not with functional ability or well-being. These findings suggest that adding sensorimotor training enhances long-term pain relief beyond manual therapy and exercise alone.