Investigation of the effects of balance training on balance, pain and kinesiophobia in patients with cervical discopathy

Özlem Sayılır Pektaş, Investigation of the Effects of Balance Training on Balance, Pain and Kinesiophobia in Patients with Cervical Discopathy, Hasan Kalyoncu University Graduate Education Institute, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Master's Thesis, Gaziantep 2023. A total of 64 individuals, 40 women and 24 men, aged between 18 and 65 years, were included in the study, which was conducted to investigate the effects of balance training on balance, pain and kinesiophobia in patients with cervical discopathy. Individuals were divided into three groups, in accordance with the inclusion criteria, by simple random method: study group (n = 22), classical group (n = 21) and control group (n = 21). Conservative physiotherapy modalities (Hot Pack, Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation, Ultrasound) and posture exercises were given to the classical group, and balance training was given to the study group, which was done at home in addition to the classical group. The control group was healthy individuals and was not treated. The classical and study groups received 15 sessions of 45min. treatment for three weeks. Patients were evaluated 3 times: before, after and at the 8th week of treatment. Demographic information of individuals, McGill Pain Scale Short Form in pain assessment, In neck disability evaluation, neck disability index was used. In the evaluation of dynamic balance, fall risks were recorded using the Y Balance Test, Functional Reach Test and Tetrax Interactive Balance System. Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale was used to evaluate kinesiophobia. In pain evaluation, it was determined that it decreased significantly in the study group and the classical group after treatment compared to the initial values (p<0.05). A similar improvement was seen in the Neck Disability Index score in both groups (p<0.05). It was determined that it increased significantly in both groups in the Y Balance Test and Functional Extension Test (p<0.05). According to Tetrax Interactive Balance Data, it was determined that balance improved in both groups, but there were no significant differences (p>0.05). It was observed that the kinesiophobia evaluation decreased in both groups, but did not create statistically significant differences (p>0.05). Considering the results obtained, in intra-group comparisons in terms of pain, neck disability, balance and kinesiophobia, a significant difference was obtained in favor of post-treatment in both groups (p <0.05). As a result, in our study, it was seen that balance training had more healing effects on pain, neck disability, balance and kinesiophobia in patients with cervical discopathy, and balance exercises given in addition to classical physiotherapy had greater healing effects. Balance training can be considered a feasible approach in the treatment of these patients. Key Words: Cervical Discopathy, Pain, Balance, Kinesiophobia