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Association of neck pain, disability and neck pain during maximal effort with neck muscle strength and range of movement in women with chronic non‐specific neck pain
Author(s) -
Ylinen Jari,
Takala EsaPekka,
Kautiainen Hannu,
Nykänen Matti,
Häkkinen Arja,
Pohjolainen Timo,
Karppi SirkkaLiisa,
Airaksinen Olavi
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
european journal of pain
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.305
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1532-2149
pISSN - 1090-3801
DOI - 10.1016/j.ejpain.2003.11.005
Subject(s) - isometric exercise , neck pain , medicine , physical therapy , rehabilitation , chronic pain , physical medicine and rehabilitation , visual analogue scale , neck muscles , anatomy , alternative medicine , pathology
Several studies have reported lower neck muscle strength in patients with chronic neck pain compared to healthy controls. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between the severity of neck pain and disability with neck strength and range of movement in women suffering from chronic neck pain. One hundred and seventy‐nine female office workers with chronic neck pain were selected to the study. The outcome was assessed by the self‐rating questionnaires on neck pain (visual analogue scale, Vernon's disability index, Neck pain and disability index) and by measures of the passive range of movement (ROM) and maximal isometric neck muscle strength. No statistically significant correlation was found between perceived neck pain and the disability indices and the maximal isometric neck strength and ROM measures. However, the pain values reported during the strength tests were inversely correlated with the results of strength tests ( r =−0.24 to −0.46), showing that pain was associated with decreased force production. About two‐thirds of the patients felt pain during test efforts. Pain may prevent full effort during strength tests and hence the production of maximal force. Thus in patients with chronic neck pain the results do not always describe true maximal strength, but rather the patients' ability to bear strain, which may be considerably influenced by their painful condition. The results of the present study suggest that rehabilitation in cases of chronic neck pain should aim at raising tolerance to mechanical strain.