Publications

Background: Cervical spondylosis is a degenerative disorder of the spine, frequently associated with chronic neck pain, reduced mobility, and functional impairment. Patients develop alterations in muscle tone, stiffness, and elasticity, which further contribute to disability. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a 14-day standardized rehabilitation program on the biomechanical and contractile properties of cervical and scapular muscles in patients with cervical spondylosis.

Methods: This study used a single-group pre–post observational design on 23 patients (16 women, 7 men; mean age 61.1 ± 14.2 years) diagnosed with cervical spondylosis. All participants completed a standardized rehabilitation treatment that included cervical mobilization, stretching, isometric exercises, scapular stabilization, electrotherapy, ultrasound, thermotherapy, and balneotherapy. Muscle properties were evaluated bilaterally using the MyotonPRO® device, measuring frequency, stiffness, decrement, relaxation time, and creep. Assessments were performed in a sitting position for the deltoid, upper trapezius and pectoralis major, both at baseline (T0) and after treatment (T1). Handgrip strength was assessed bilaterally with a handheld dynamometer.

Results: The deltoid muscle showed a significant reduction in frequency (14.86 → 13.50 Hz, p = 0.034) and stiffness (306.4 → 256.1 N/m, p = 0.014) on the right side, suggesting normalization of tone and passive resistance. The upper trapezius had a significant bilateral decrease in decrement (p < 0.05), reflecting improved elasticity. The pectoralis major displayed the most consistent adaptations, with increased frequency (right side, p = 0.008), improved relaxation bilaterally (p < 0.05), and significant reductions in decrement and creep (p < 0.01). Handheld dynamometry confirmed increased handgrip strength, with a 5.4% improvement on the left side and 7.6% on the right side.

Conclusions: In our study measurable changes in muscle parameters were observed following a rehabilitation program in patients with cervical spondylosis. The integration of myotonometry and dynamometry allowed objective assessment of muscle adaptations supporting the clinical value of individualized rehabilitation strategies.

Keywords: cervical spondylosis, rehabilitation treatment, myotonometry, muscle stiffness, elasticity, dynamometry, biomechanical properties

In our study, significant changes in the biomechanical and contractile properties of the cervical and scapular muscles were observed in patients with cervical spondylosis following a rehabilitation treatment. In the absence of a control group, these findings should be interpreted with caution. The deltoid muscle showed a significant reduction in frequency and stiffness, especially on the right side, suggesting normalization of resting tone and decreased passive resistance. The upper trapezius showed a significant bilateral improvement in tissue elasticity, reflected in a reduction in decrement, and the pectoralis major muscle demonstrated a complex adaptive response, characterized by increased tone and stiffness on the right side accompanied by significant improvements in elasticity and relaxation capacity bilaterally.

The results highlight the role of objective assessment tools, such as myotonometry and dynamometry for monitoring muscle-related changes during rehabilitation treatment in patients with cervical spondylosis. Further controlled studies are required to clarify the role of the rehabilitation treatment in the observed changes.