Open AccessComparison and correlation of cervical proprioception and muscle endurance in general joint hypermobility participants with and without non-specific neck pain—a cross-sectional study
Author(s) -
Ravi Shankar Reddy,
Jaya Shanker Tedla,
Mastour Saeed Alshahrani,
Faisal Asiri,
Venkata Nagaraj Kakaraparthi
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
peerj
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.927
H-Index - 70
ISSN - 2167-8359
DOI - 10.7717/peerj.13097
Subject(s) - joint hypermobility , proprioception , asymptomatic , medicine , hypermobility (travel) , neck pain , physical therapy , physical medicine and rehabilitation , pathology , alternative medicine
Background Cervical proprioception and muscle endurance are essential for maintaining cervical functional joint stability. Proprioception and muscle endurance may be impaired in those with general joint hypermobility (GJH). Examining these aspects is crucial. This study’s aims are to (1) compare the cervical joint position error (JPE) and muscle endurance holding capacities in GJH individuals with and without non-specific neck pain (NSNP) (2) to assess the relationship between hypermobility Beighton scores, cervical JPE’s, and muscle endurance in GJH individuals with and without NSNP. Methods In this cross-sectional comparative study, 33 GJH participants with NSNP (mean age 21.7 ± 1.8 years) and 35 asymptomatic participants GJH (mean age 22.42 ± 1.7 years) participated. Beighton’s score of ≥4 of 9 tests was used as criteria to diagnose GJH. Cervical JPEs were estimated in degrees using a cervical range of motion device, and muscle endurance (flexor and extensor) were estimated in seconds using a stopwatch. Results GJH participants with NSNP showed significantly larger cervical JPEs ( p < 0.001) and decreased muscle endurance holding times ( p < 0.001) compared to asymptomatic participants. Beighton hypermobility scores showed a significant moderate positive correlation with cervical JPEs (flexion: r = 0.43, p = 0.013), left rotation: r = 0.47, p = 0.005, right rotation: r = 0.57, p = 0.001) in NSNP individuals. Also, Beighton hypermobility scores showed a moderate negative correlation with muscle endurance in NSNP (flexor muscles: r = −0.40, p = 0.020, extensor muscles: r = −0.41, p = 0.020, and asymptomatic individuals (flexor muscles: −0.34, p = 0.045, extensor muscles: r = −0.45, p = 0.007). Conclusion GJH individuals with NSNP showed increased cervical JPEs and reduced muscle endurance compared to asymptomatic. Individuals with GJH with higher Beighton scores demonstrated increased cervical JPEs and reduced neck muscle endurance holding ability. In clinical practice, therapists should be aware of these findings, incorporate proprioceptive and muscle endurance assessments, and formulate rehabilitation strategies for NSNP individuals with GJM.