To investigate whether adding visuo-vestibular exercises to standard manual therapy and exercise produces superior improvements in sensorimotor function, pain, balance, and functional disability in adults with chronic neck pain.
✦ The floor
Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
If results show significant benefit, clinicians treating chronic neck pain with associated balance or dizziness complaints should consider adding structured visuo-vestibular exercises to their standard manual therapy and exercise protocols.
Chronic neck pain is often accompanied by sensorimotor deficits and vestibular disturbances; a positive RCT result would provide Level 1b evidence to support integrating vestibular rehab into standard neck pain physiotherapy.
- 01RCT design comparing visuo-vestibular exercises added to manual therapy/exercise vs. manual therapy/exercise alone.
- 02Primary focus on sensorimotor function, pain levels, and balance outcomes.
- 03Population: patients with chronic neck pain.
- 04Study published in Gait & Posture (2026), indicating completion of trial.
- 05Findings could directly inform physiotherapy and vestibular rehabilitation guidelines for neck pain.
Adding visuo-vestibular exercises to manual therapy and exercise improves sensorimotor function in chronic neck pain patients.
studyunclearThe combined intervention reduces pain and improves balance compared to manual therapy and exercise alone.
studyunclear- PMID
- 42541826
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2026.110604.
- Journal
- Gait & Posture
- Publication type
- research_article
- Evidence level
- 1b
- Population
- Patients with chronic neck pain
- Intervention
- Visuo-vestibular exercises combined with manual therapy and exercise
- Comparator
- Manual therapy and exercise alone
Primary outcomes
Sensorimotor function; Pain intensity; Balance