Neuromuscular control: CCFT

The first part of the scoring process for the CCFT consisted of the original test as described by Jull, O'Leary, and Falla (2008) resulting in a score ranging from 0 to 4 (22–30 mmHg) with the aid of a stabilizer‐cuff (Chattanooga Stabilizer Group Inc., Hoxson, TN). In addition, patients were asked to perform the same movement five consecutive times while trying to reach the level of 26 mmHg. A score ranging from 0 (unable) to 4 (excellent) was given based on fluency, respiration, compensation of superficial muscles, and under or overshooting of the targeted pressure. Thereafter, a score ranging from 0 to 2 was given based on the endurance in which patients were asked to hold a normative pressure of 26 mmHg for 10 s during 10 consecutive trials. The score was calculated as the amount of successful repetitions multiplied by 0.2.

Neuromuscular control: SHT

The neuromuscular capacity of scapulothoracic muscles was assessed using the scapular holding test (SHT), performed at the dominant painful side. Participants were positioned prone with their head in a neutral position and arms besides their thorax. The first part of the form assesses compensatory movements (elevation, retraction, downwards rotation, tipping, or internal rotation of the scapula), and the quality of contraction of the lower trapezius muscle after the examiner instructed the patient to keep the scapula in this optimal position (Jull, Sterling, Falla, Treleaven, & O'Leary, 2008), resulting in a score ranging from 0 to 4. Afterwards, patients were asked to perform the same movement five consecutive times trying to reach the scapular setting. The performance of these trials was assessed on fluency, compensatory movements, and under or overshooting from the targeted position, resulting in a score ranging from 0 (worse) to 4 (best). Last, a score ranging from 0 to 2 was given based on the endurance in which Participants were asked to hold the scapular setting for 10 s during 10 consecutive trials. The score was calculated as the amount of successful repetitions multiplied by 0.2.

Neuromuscular control: Endurance cervical flexors

Participants laid supine in a hook‐lying position, hands resting on their abdomen, and were asked to slightly raise the head allowing the tester to slide the widths of the index and middle finger of one hand, one atop the other, under the participant's head at the most posterior aspect of the occiput. The participant was then asked to rest his head on the examiner's fingers. Next, the subject was directed to perform a craniocervical flexion and raise the head just off the tester's fingers resulting in a cervical flexion and hold this position as long as possible. During the test, the examiner gently moved his/her fingers from side to side under the subject's head, providing a tactile cue for maintaining proper head position. Timing of the duration of the trial started after the subject raises the head off the tester's fingers, and ended when one of the following four criteria were met: (a) the subject experiences pain and is unwilling to continue; (b) the subject is unwilling to continue; (c) the examiner determines that the subject loses chin tuck; and (d) the examiner determines that the subject raised the head (flexes the neck while still in chin tuck) such that the tester's fingers no longer maintain contact.