Cervical Stabilization Exercises in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, recurrent polyarthritis of the synovial joints. Although the prevalence of the disease shows ethnic differences, the average prevelance of the disease is 1%, and the female/male ratio is 2.5-3/1. The average age of onset is between 30-50 years. Common cervical involvement in RA patients was first described by Garrod in 1890. The most common inflammatory arthritis involving the cervical vertebra is RA. Thoracic and lumbar spine involvement is less common compared to cervical spine involvement in the disease.

Proprioceptive sense is defined as a type of specialized sensory model that includes joint movement (kinesthesia) and position sense. Mechanoreceptors located in different structures such as muscle, tendon, joint capsule and skin in both axial joints and peripheral joints provide the perception of joint position and movement. The sense of proprioception provides dynamic joint stability and various movement skills without the need for conscious planning. It also prevents premature joint degeneration by preventing uncontrolled load on the joints. The cervical proprioceptive system consists of mechanoreceptors of the cervical intervertebral joints, neck muscles and vertebral ligaments, muscle spindles localized in the deep muscles of the cervical spine, and sensitive fibers connecting the neurons in posterior horn of the spinal cord to the neck proprioceptors. Cervical vertebrae, unlike the thoracic and lumbar regions, has an additional importance due to the abundance of mechanoreceptors that provide reflex connections and proprioceptive input with the vestibular central and central nervous systems. In previous studies, it has been shown that the sense of cervical proprioception is impaired in patients with chronic neck pain due to traumatic and degenerative causes. It has been shown that cervical proprioceptive sensory dysfunction in RA causes, vestibular symptoms, changes in contol of eye movements and postural disorders in cervical paravertebral muscles.

No study investigating the effect of exercise on cervical proprioception in RA patients was found in the literature. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of cervical stabilization exercises on cervical proprioception in RA patients. The secondary aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects of cervical stabilization exercises on the functional status and quality of life in patients with RA.

Inclusion criteria

• Having been diagnosed with RA according to the ACR 2010 Criteria
• Being between 18 and 65 years old
• To be able to understand the given commands

Exclusion criteria

• Refusing to participate in the study
• History of trauma involving the neck
• Having an orthopedic disorder concerning the neck
• History of spine surgery
• Having a disease that affects vestibular system
• Upper extremity involvement due to a disorder other than RA
• Being pregnant