The Efficiency of Physical Therapy for Women with Degenerative Diseases of the Cervical and Thoracic Spine Based on the BodyArt Fitness Method
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17309/tmfv.2025.5.06Keywords:
cervicothoracic osteochondrosis, BodyArt fitness, physical therapy, manual muscle testing and goniometry, Neck Disability Index, McGill Pain QuestionnaireAbstract
Objectives. This study aimed to scientifically substantiate, develop and evaluate the effectiveness of including the BodyArt fitness method in the rehabilitation plan of female patients with cervicothoracic osteochondrosis in the phase of periodic maintenance rehabilitation.
Material and Methods. The study involved 57 women who were randomly divided into a control group (CG, n = 27, age 49.3 ± 1.5 years) and a main group (MG, n = 30, age 50.1 ± 1.2 years) using the sealed envelope method. Inclusion criteria comprised females aged 40 to 60 years with a diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic region (OCT), confirmed by instrumental methods (X-ray, CT or MRI), established at least one year before the onset of the study. Exclusion criteria were: acute pain, severe somatic pathology, fractures or tumors of the vertebrae. All participants provided written informed consent to be involved in the study. The CG underwent standard rehabilitation according to the hospital protocol (training — 30 min, 4-6 sessions; therapeutic gymnastics — 3 times a week for 1 hour; manual therapy — 6-8 sessions). The MG program included the BodyArt fitness method instead of standard exercises. The study spanned two rehabilitation cycles (28 days). To assess the effectiveness of the intervention, clinical and instrumental methods and scales were used (McGill Pain Questionnaire, MMT of the back and shoulder girdle muscles, cervical and thoracic spine mobility, Index of disability due to neck pain (Neck Disability Index, NDI)), as well as statistical methods.
Results. In patients of the main group, after using BodyArt fitness, there was a significant decrease in pain intensity according to the results of the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) (p<0.01), an improvement in muscle strength (p<0.05),and an increase in the range of motion in the cervical and thoracic spine (p5). In particular, the NDI disability index decreased by 34.7% (p < 0.01).
Conclusions. The findings revealed that incorporating BodyArt fitness into the physical therapy program is an effective means of rehabilitation for patients with cervicothoracic osteochondrosis, helping to reduce pain, improve spinal mobility and restore functional activity.
Downloads
References
Fakhoury, J., & Dowling, T. J. (2023). Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing. PMID: 32809607.
Fejer, R., Kyvik, K. O., & Hartvigsen, J. (2006). The prevalence of neck pain in the world population: a systematic critical review of the literature. European spine journal, 15, 834-848. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-004-0864-4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-004-0864-4
Frost, B. A., Camarero-Espinosa, S., & Foster, E. J. (2019). Materials for the Spine: Anatomy, Problems, and Solutions. Materials, 12(2), 253. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12020253 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12020253
Kong, L., Tian, W., Cao, P., Wang, H., Zhang, B., & Shen, Y. (2017). Predictive factors associated with neck pain in patients with cervical disc degeneration: A cross-sectional study focusing on Modic changes. Medicine, 96(43), e8447. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000008447 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000008447
Seok, J. H., & Kim, T. H. (2020). The effects of scapular alignment exercise and nerve mobilization on pain and muscle activity in subjects with scapular depression alignment. Journal of Musculoskeletal Science and Technology, 4(2), 58-65. https://doi.org/10.29273/jmst.2020.4.2.58 DOI: https://doi.org/10.29273/jmst.2020.4.2.58
Kalmykova, Y. S. (2023). Prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome in young people: current state of the problem. Rehabilitation and Recreation, 14, 49-55. https://doi.org/10.32782/2522-1795.2023.14.5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32782/2522-1795.2023.14.5
Ariëns, G. A., van Mechelen, W., Bongers, P. M., Bouter, L. M., & van der Wal, G. (2001). Psychosocial risk factors for neck pain: a systematic review. American journal of industrial medicine, 39(2), 180-193. https://doi.org/10.1002/1097-0274(200102)39:2<180::AID-AJIM1005>3.0.CO;2-# DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/1097-0274(200102)39:2<180::AID-AJIM1005>3.0.CO;2-#
Safiri, S., Kolahi, A. A., Hoy, D., Buchbinder, R., Mansournia, M. A., Bettampadi, D., ... & Ferreira, M. L. (2020). Global, regional, and national burden of neck pain in the general population, 1990-2017: systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. BMJ, 368. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m791 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m791
Cieza, A., Causey, K., Kamenov, K., Hanson, S. W., Chatterji, S., & Vos, T. (2020). Global estimates of the need for rehabilitation based on the Global Burden of Disease study 2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The Lancet, 396(10267), 2006-2017. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)32340-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)32340-0
Katz, J., Melzack, R. (2022). McGill Pain Questionnaire. In: Maggino, F. (eds) Encyclopedia of Quality of Life and Well-Being Research. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-69909-7_1748-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-69909-7_1748-2
Brown, M., Hislop, H., & Avers, D. (2013). Daniels and Worthingham’s Muscle Testing-E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Shkolina, N.V., Shapoval, I.I., & Stanislavchuk, M.A. (2021). Adaptation and validation of the Ukrainian version of the neck disability index (index of limitation of life activity due to neck pain) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Ukrainian Journal of Rheumatology, 85(3), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.32471/rheumatology.2707-6970.85.16408 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32471/rheumatology.2707-6970.85.16408
Landau, S., & Everitt, B. S. (2003). A handbook of statistical analyses using SPSS. Chapman and Hall/CRC. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780203009765 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1201/9780203009765
Andersen, L. L., Saervoll, C. A., Mortensen, O. S., Poulsen, O. M., Hannerz, H., & Zebis, M. K. (2011). Effectiveness of small daily amounts of progressive resistance training for frequent neck/shoulder pain: randomised controlled trial. Pain, 152(2), 440-446. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pain.2010.11.016 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pain.2010.11.016
Kang, N. Y., Im, S. C., & Kim, K. (2021). Effects of a combination of scapular stabilization and thoracic extension exercises for office workers with forward head posture on the craniovertebral angle, respiration, pain, and disability: A randomized-controlled trial. Turkish journal of physical medicine and rehabilitation, 67(3), 291–299. https://doi.org/10.5606/tftrd.2021.6397 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5606/tftrd.2021.6397
Ma, C., Szeto, G. P., Yan, T., Wu, S., Lin, C., & Li, L. (2011). Comparing biofeedback with active exercise and passive treatment for the management of work-related neck and shoulder pain: a randomized controlled trial. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation, 92(6), 849-858. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2010.12.037 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2010.12.037
Li, X., Lin, C., Liu, C., Ke, S., Wan, Q., Luo, H., ... & Wu, S. (2017). Comparison of the effectiveness of resistance training in women with chronic computer-related neck pain: a randomized controlled study. International archives of occupational and environmental health, 90, 673-683. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-017-1230-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-017-1230-2
Ylinen, J., Takala, E. P., Kautiainen, H., Nykänen, M., Häkkinen, A., Pohjolainen, T., ... & Airaksinen, O. (2004). Association of neck pain, disability and neck pain during maximal effort with neck muscle strength and range of movement in women with chronic non-specific neck pain. European journal of pain, 8(5), 473-478. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpain.2003.11.005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpain.2003.11.005
Borisut, S., Vongsirinavarat, M., Vachalathiti, R., & Sakulsriprasert, P. (2013). Effects of strength and endurance training of superficial and deep neck muscles on muscle activities and pain levels of females with chronic neck pain. Journal of physical therapy science, 25(9), 1157-1162. https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.25.1157 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.25.1157
O’Riordan, C., Clifford, A., Van De Ven, P., & Nelson, J. (2014). Chronic neck pain and exercise interventions: frequency, intensity, time, and type principle. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation, 95(4), 770-783. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2013.11.015 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2013.11.015
Jones, L. B., Jadhakhan, F., & Falla, D. (2024). The influence of exercise on pain, disability and quality of life in office workers with chronic neck pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Applied ergonomics, 117, 104216. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2023.104216 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2023.104216
Wegner, S., Jull, G., O’Leary, S., & Johnston, V. (2010). The effect of a scapular postural correction strategy on trapezius activity in patients with neck pain. Manual therapy, 15(6), 562-566. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.math.2010.06.006 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.math.2010.06.006
Cagnie, B., Struyf, F., Cools, A., Castelein, B., Danneels, L., & O’leary, S. (2014). The relevance of scapular dysfunction in neck pain: a brief commentary. Journal of orthopaedic & sports physical therapy, 44(6), 435-439. https://www.jospt.org/doi/10.2519/jospt.2014.5038 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2014.5038
Wannaprom, N., Treleaven, J., Jull, G., & Uthaikhup, S. (2021). Response rate and comparison of clinical features associated with positive or negative responses to a scapular positioning test in patients with neck pain and altered scapular alignment: a cross-sectional study. BMJ open, 11(12), e057459. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-057459 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-057459
Lluch, E., Arguisuelas, M. D., Quesada, O. C., Noguera, E. M., Puchades, M. P., Rodríguez, J. A. P., & Falla, D. (2014). Immediate effects of active versus passive scapular correction on pain and pressure pain threshold in patients with chronic neck pain. Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics, 37(9), 660-666. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2014.08.007 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2014.08.007
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Sviatoslava Pashkevych, Yuliya Kalmykova, Nataliya Golod, Sergey Kalmykov, Olena Bismak, Daria Okun, Maria Sokol
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
