The investigation of the effects of balance training on postural control, fear of falling and quality of life in patients with cervical disc disease

ABSTRACT The Investigation of the Effects of Balance Training on Postural Control, Fear of Falling and Quality of Life in Patients with Cervical Disc Disease The aim of this study was to determine the effects of balance training on postural control, fear of falling and quality of life in patients diagnosed with cervical disc disease. Thirty patients diagnosed with cervical disc disease were randomly assigned into two groups. Both groups received hotpack, interferential current, myofascial relaxation and cervical dynamic isometric exercises for 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks. Study group practiced additional balance training on a force platform with visual feedback technique for 15 minutes per session. All patients were evaluated using the VAS for pain; ABC scale for fear of falling; CoP test for static balance; LoS, SEBT and FRT for dynamic balance; NHP for quality of life pre and post intervention. According to our results, the pain was significantly reduced in both groups (p<0,05). The static balance results (CoP-GA and CoP GK) of the study group significantly improved after treatment (p<0,05); no difference was found in the control group (p>0,05). While the improvement level of LoS test results did not reach a significant level in the control group (p>0,05), there was a significant increase in the study group (p<0,05). FUT values increased significantly in both groups (p<0,05). The changes in the quality of life values of both groups were similar (p>0,05); unlike the control group, fear of falling decreased significantly in the balance training group (p<0,05). Although there were significant improvements in the right posteromedial, left anterior and left posterolateral directions of SEBT in both groups; significant increases were obtained in the right anterior, right posterolateral and left posteromedial directions only in the study group (p<0,05). The results of our study revealed that balance training to be added to the treatment protocol of cervical disc disease may have positive results on neck pain, fear of falling and postural control. We suggest that clinicians interested in the treatment of neck pain should also consider balance training for a comprehensive treatment. Keywords: Balance, fear of falling, neck pain