Sarah Blyton
University of Newcastle, Australia
Title: Associations between neck kinematics and pain in individuals with chronic idiopathic neck pain
Biography
Biography: Sarah Blyton
Abstract
Aim: To determine associations between kinematics and chronic idiopathic neck pain intensity.
Method:
Three-dimensional motion capture quantified kinematics in 10 individuals with chronic idiopathic neck pain performing overhead reach to the right and putting on a seatbelt at baseline, 6 weeks and 6 months. Kinematic variables included maximum joint angle (°), time to maximum (% movement phase), total range of motion (°) and velocity (m/s) for head segment relative to neck (HN) and head/neck segment relative to thoracic (HNT). Visual analogue scale quantified pain at each time point. Mixed regression models determined associations between pain and kinematic variables both over time, and cross-sectionally at each time point.
Results:
Higher pain associated with less maximum HN rotation at baseline (reach: β = -0.32°, 95% CI -0.13 to -0.52, p = 0.003; seatbelt: β = -0.52°, 95% CI -0.30 to -0.72, p < 0.001), and less HN total rotation range of motion at baseline (seatbelt: β = -0.29°, 95% CI 0.10 to -0.49, p = 0.006) and 6 months (reach: β = -0.19°, 95% CI -0.38 to -0.002, p = 0.048). Higher pain associated with delayed timing to reach maximum HNT rotation over time (reach: β = .46%, 95% CI 0.099 to 0.82, p = 0.015). Pain not associated with other kinematic variables.
Conclusion:
• Higher neck pain associated with lower maximum and total rotation during functional tasks requiring cervical rotation.
• Supports clinical observation of altered movement strategies in individuals with chronic idiopathic neck pain.