THE EFFECT OF PROPRIOCEPTIVE EXERCISE TRAINING ON CERVICAL PROPRIOCEPTION, KINESIOPHOBIA, AND PAIN CATASTROPHIZING LEVELS IN SARCOPENIC GERIATRIC INDIVIDUALS RESIDING IN NURSING HOMES

This study investigated the effects of cervical proprioceptive exercise training on cervical proprioception, kinesiophobia and pain catastrophising in sarcopenic nursing home residents. In this randomized controlled study, 63 nursing home residents were screened for sarcopenia based on the EWGSOP2 criteria, which include assessments of handgrip strength (Jamar dynamometer), physical performance (4-meter walking test), and muscle mass evaluated by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis. Thirty-one residents diagnosed with sarcopenia were randomly assigned to either a control group (n = 17), which completed 12 supervised sessions of conventional exercises (postural, cervical range of motion, and isometric exercises) over six weeks, or an experimental group (n = 14), which received an additional 12 sessions of cervical proprioceptive exercises. Both groups were evaluated before and after the intervention. Cervical joint position sense, kinesiophobia, pain catastrophizing, were assessed using the Joint Position Error Test; the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia; the Pain Catastrophizing Scale.