Effect of Biofeedback Corrective Exercise on Reaction Time and Central Somatosensory Conduction Time in Patients With Forward Head Posture and Radiculopathy: A Randomized Controlled Study

Objective

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of 8 weeks of biofeedback on reaction time and central somatosensory conduction time in patients with forward head posture and cervical radiculopathy.

Methods

We performed a double-blinded randomized controlled trial. Seventy patients with forward head posture and cervical radiculopathy were randomly distributed into study and control groups. The study group received biofeedback forward head posture corrective exercise for 8 weeks, while the control group did not receive any treatment. The main outcome measures were reaction time and central somatosensory conduction time. The secondary outcome measures were the craniovertebral angles, nerve conduction time at N13 and N20, referred arm pain, and neck disability index.

Results

After 4 weeks, there were nonsignificant differences between both groups in reaction time and central somatosensory conduction time (P > .05); while there were significant differences between both groups in N13, N20, craniovertebral angle, referred arm pain, and neck disability index scores (P < .05). After 8 weeks, there were significant differences between both groups in all outcome measures (P < .05).

Conclusion

In this study, participants receiving biofeedback forward head posture corrective exercise improved both reaction time and central somatosensory conduction time after 8 weeks when compared to a control, nontreatment group.