Program of therapy and rehabilitation of persons with non-specific pain syndrome in the cervical spine

Olexii Nikanorov; Dmytro Tkachenko

doi:10.15391/prrht.2025-10(3).01

Authors

Olexii Nikanorov Department of Therapy and Rehabilitation, National University of Ukraine on Physical Education and Sport, Kyiv, Ukraine https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5326-0979
Dmytro Tkachenko Department of Therapy and Rehabilitation, National University of Ukraine on Physical Education and Sport, Kyiv, Ukraine https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1519-4159

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15391/prrht.2025-10(3).01

Keywords:

therapy, rehabilitation, non-specific neck pain, pain syndrome, program, therapeutic exercises, functions, activity and participation

Abstract

Purpose. The purpose of the work is to study the functional state, activity and participation of people with non-specific pain syndrome in the cervical spine (NSPS); taking into account the obtained data, to develop a program of therapy and rehabilitation of people with non-specific pain syndrome in the cervical spine according to the principles of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and within the framework of a multidisciplinary approach to its implementation in a fitness center.

Material & Methods. Study of the functional state (review, anamnesis, study of the pain level using the visual analogue scale (VAS), goniometry, electrospondylography), activity and participation (Neck Disability Index (NDI), Well-Being, Activity, and Mood Scale (WAM) and Quality of Life Questionnaire (MOS SF-36)) 68 people (44 women and 24 men, mean age 38,42±6,3 years) with non-specific pain syndrome in the cervical spine, who underwent therapy and rehabilitation at the Olympic Rehabilitation Center or the Planet Fitness Fitness Club, Kyiv, in the period from 2022 to 2024, were conducted according to the ICF.

Results. According to the obtained results, the characteristic signs of NDI were: pain in the neck with or without irradiation; the presence of myofascial pain syndrome and/or damage to the intervertebral facet joints; chronic course with periods of exacerbation and relapse; hyperlordosis of the cervical spine; decreased range of active and passive movements of the cervical spine; decreased ability to cope with everyday activities (personal hygiene, lifting, reading, headache, concentration, work, driving, sleep and rest); decreased well-being, daily activities and mood, as well as all components of quality of life (physical functioning, role activity, physical pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, emotional state, mental health, physical component of health, mental component of health).

Conclusions. Based on the obtained data influencing the nature and direction of rehabilitation measures, as well as data from literary sources, we developed and implemented a program of therapy and rehabilitation of individuals with non-specific pain syndrome in the cervical spine, which was implemented in two stages: adaptation and stabilization. The main objective of the program was to reduce the intensity of pain syndrome, the fastest possible return of the patient to an active lifestyle, prevent chronicity and repeated exacerbations, and improve the quality of life. The developed program is based on the following principles of providing rehabilitation services: application of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF); adherence to a multidisciplinary approach; client-centric (personalized) approach; formation of goals in the SMART format; comprehensive approach; staged interventions; systematicity and duration. The foundation of the developed program was a combination of elements of the most effective means and methods of therapy and rehabilitation used in people with NDI: therapeutic exercises; recreational exercises; manual techniques; patient training; occupational therapy measures.

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