| Abstract [eng] |
Relevance: Pain caused by osteochondrosis of the cervical spine kas become a very common problem today. Research has demonstrated that osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can be very successfully cured by therapy exercise which both relieves pain and eliminates its cause. Subject: Effects of a specialised exercise program for the neck mobility and muscle strength in patients with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Hypothesis: Use of a specialized physical culture exercise programme in practice can cause positive changes in the neck mobility and muscle strength in patients with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. After the application of the specialised programme is completed outcomes would be: a) increased neck mobility on an averange up to 1 centimetre; b) strength of muscles (according to the Lovett test) raised on an averange up to 1 point. Aim: Assessment of changes in the neck mobility and muscle strengt in patients with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine partcipating in a specialized physical education exercise programme. Methods: 1. Testing (cervical spine mobility assessment using a test mothod by D. Kaunaitė and cervical spine muscle strength assessment recommended by G. Krutulytė). 2. Experimental programme (a specialized physical education exercise programme for patients with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, designed by V. Grečka, 2004). 3. Questionnaire (qualitative study intended to reveal specialist and patient approach to prevention and treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spina). Sample and structure: The survey included 50 patients with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. The patients were placed under the specialized physical education exercise programme designed by V. Grečka (2004). The survey took place in „Žemaitijos diagnostikos centras“ (Samogitian Diagnostic Centre) from 6 January 2014 to 30 March 2014. Conclusions: • The specialized physical educattion session (16 workouts) appeared too short for patients with little (from 1 to 3 cm) neck mobility (stretching, bending, lateral bending and lateral rotation) before session however effective for patients with moderate (from 3 to 5 cm) neck mobility before session. The specialized physical education session proved most beneficial for the cervical spine mobility with regard to lateral ratation. Following the specialized programme session, the mobility of the neck increased from 0.88 to 1.28 cm on the average. The specialized physical educattion had a bilateral positive effect on the muscle strengthening of the cervical spine with regard to stretching, bending, lateral bending and rotation. After the specialized programme session, a positive impact on muscle strength on the right side of the neck was very noticeable; the neck muscle strength measured according to the Lovett scale underwent an increase from 1 to 2 points. Following the specialized programme session, the strength of the neck muscles increased from 0.48 to 0.9 points on the average. • The hypothesis has been proven true.The specialized physical education exercise programme entailed positive changes in the neck mobility and muscle strength in patients with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. • The analysis of responses contained in the questionnaire showed that nearly as many as halt of the respondents/patients were unaware of possible complications and risk that may cause osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. The remaining part of the respondents referred to immobility, desk jobs, stress and fatigue as the key risks. Physical activity, massage and diet were considered the primary preventive measures for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine by the respondenst. • Pharmaceuticals were indentified as traditional remedy prescribed by doctors for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in most cases. Phisicians admitted that other methods of treatment such as physical activity, rehabilitation and exercise recommended to patients were not abandoned but more infrequent. |
