Abstract
Abstract
Purpose
Neck extensor endurance (NEE) and position sense are vital for
maintaining cervical spine function and defects in these processes may be
associated with impaired postural control in chronic neck pain (CNP)
subjects. The study’s objectives are 1) to compare the cervical
extensor endurance capability and postural control of CNP subjects with
those of asymptomatic controls; 2) to investigate the association between
NEE and postural control.
Materials and Methods
Sixty-four participants (38 asymptomatic, 38
with CNP) participated in this cross-sectional study. NEE was assessed using
a clinical extensor endurance test. Under open and closed eyes conditions,
postural control measures were tested with the Good Balance system. The
postural control parameters were AP-velocity (mm/s), ML-velocity
(mm/s) and Velocity moment (mm2). NEE capacity and postural control
parameters were compared and correlated between asymptomatic and CNP
subjects.
Results and Discussion
CNP subjects showed lower NEE capacity
(p<0.001) and significantly larger AP-velocity (p<0.001),
ML-velocity (p<0.001) and Velocity moment (p<0.001) than
asymptomatic participants. NEE negatively correlated with AP-velocity
(r=−0.51, p=0.001), ML-velocity (r=0.46,
p=0.003) and velocity moment (r=0.38, p=0.020) in
asymptomatic subjects in eyes open condition and no correlations in subjects
with CNP. CNP subjects showed increased postural sway velocities and lowered
extensor endurance capacity compared to asymptomatic participants. No
correlations existed between NEE and postural control parameters in CNP
subjects.