A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Rectus Capitis Posterior Minor (RCPm) Inhibition Versus Standard Physiotherapy in EnhancingProprioception, Reducing Pain, and Improving Motor Control in Upper Cervical Dysfunction (C1-C2)

Upper cervical dysfunction, particularly involving the C1-C2 vertebral segments, is commonly associated with impaired proprioception, chronic pain, and motor control deficits, significantly affecting patient quality of life. This systematic review and meta-analysis critically evaluates the effectiveness of Rectus Capitis Posterior Minor (RCPm) inhibition compared to standard physiotherapy in enhancing proprioception, reducing pain, and improving motor control in this patient population. Comprehensive searches were conducted across major databases to identify randomized controlled trials and controlled clinical studies addressing these interventions. Meta-analytic results reveal that RCPm inhibition provides statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in joint position sense accuracy (SMD = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.40–0.90), pain reduction (SMD = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.55–1.01), and motor control outcomes (SMD = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.45–0.95) compared to conventional physiotherapy alone (all p < 0.001). These benefits are attributed to the anatomical and neurophysiological significance of the RCPm muscle and its connections to cervical sensorimotor pathways, including the myodural bridge. Despite moderate heterogeneity among studies, findings consistently demonstrate that targeted RCPm inhibition integrated within physiotherapeutic regimens can substantially optimize rehabilitation outcomes for patients with upper cervical dysfunction. Further high-quality, standardized trials with long-term follow-up are recommended to establish optimized protocols and confirm durability of therapeutic effects. This review supports the incorporation of RCPm-focused inhibition techniques as an evidence-based adjunct to conventional physiotherapy in the management of C1-C2 dysfunction. Clinical Trial Number: Not applicable. Clinical Trial Registration: Not applicable.