The Efficiency of Physical Therapy for Women with Degenerative Diseases of the Cervical and Thoracic Spine Based on the BodyArt Fitness Method

Objectives. This study aimed to scientifically substantiate, develop and evaluate the effectiveness of including the BodyArt fitness method in the rehabilitation plan of female patients with cervicothoracic osteochondrosis in the phase of periodic maintenance rehabilitation. Material and Methods. The study involved 57 women who were randomly divided into a control group (CG, n = 27, age 49.3 ± 1.5 years) and a main group (MG, n = 30, age 50.1 ± 1.2 years) using the sealed envelope method. Inclusion criteria comprised females aged 40 to 60 years with a diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic region (OCT), confirmed by instrumental methods (X-ray, CT or MRI), established at least one year before the onset of the study. Exclusion criteria were: acute pain, severe somatic pathology, fractures or tumors of the vertebrae. All participants provided written informed consent to be involved in the study. The CG underwent standard rehabilitation according to the hospital protocol (training — 30 min, 4-6 sessions; therapeutic gymnastics — 3 times a week for 1 hour; manual therapy — 6-8 sessions). The MG program included the BodyArt fitness method instead of standard exercises. The study spanned two rehabilitation cycles (28 days). To assess the effectiveness of the intervention, clinical and instrumental methods and scales were used (McGill Pain Questionnaire, MMT of the back and shoulder girdle muscles, cervical and thoracic spine mobility, Index of disability due to neck pain (Neck Disability Index, NDI)), as well as statistical methods. Results. In patients of the main group, after using BodyArt fitness, there was a significant decrease in pain intensity according to the results of the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) (p<0.01), an improvement in muscle strength (p<0.05),and an increase in the range of motion in the cervical and thoracic spine (p5). In particular, the NDI disability index decreased by 34.7% (p < 0.01). Conclusions. The findings revealed that incorporating BodyArt fitness into the physical therapy program is an effective means of rehabilitation for patients with cervicothoracic osteochondrosis, helping to reduce pain, improve spinal mobility and restore functional activity.