The Cervico-ocular Reflex Changes Following Treatment in Individuals with Subclinical Neck Pain: a Randomized Control Trial

Individuals with subclinical neck pain (SCNP) exhibit altered cerebellar processing, likely due to disordered sensorimotor integration of inaccurate proprioceptive input. This association between proprioceptive feedback and SMI has been captured in cervico-ocular reflex (COR) differences where SCNP showed higher gain than healthy participants. Previous neurophysiological research demonstrated improved cerebellar processing in SCNP participants following a single treatment session, but it is unknown whether these neurophysiological changes transfer to cerebellar function. In a parallel group, randomized control trial conducted at Ontario Tech University, 27 right-hand dominant SCNP participants were allocated to the 8-week chiropractic care (n = 15; 7M & 8 F) or 8-week control (n = 12; 6M & 6 F) group. COR gain (ratio of eye movement to trunk movement) was assessed using an eye-tracking device at baseline and at post 8-weeks (treatment vs. no treatment). COR gain (10 trials): participants gazed at a circular target that disappeared after 3 s, while a motorized chair rotated their trunk at a frequency of 0.04 Hz, with an amplitude of 5º, for 2 minutes. A 2 × 2 repeated measures ANOVA was performed. COR gain was significantly reduced following 8-weeks of chiropractic care compared to the SCNP control (8-weeks of no treatment) group (p = 0.012, η = 0.237). The decrease in COR gain following treatment is likely due to normalized proprioceptive feedback from the neck, enabling improved processing and integration within the flocculonodular lobe of the cerebellum.