Cervical active range of motion in patients with chronic neck pain in selected hospitals in Colombo district, Sri Lanka.

Parindhya Wadanamby, Shanuka Gunarathne, Kavindya Sandamali, Prasangi Dabare, Ranga Tudugala
Purpose:

This study aims to identify the cervical active range of motion (AROM) in patients suffering with chronic neck pain compared to healthy individuals. 

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 55 participants aged 18-65 years diagnosed with chronic neck pain (NP group), attending the Department of Physical Medicine at University Hospital Kotelawala Defense University (UHKDU) and Colombo South Teaching Hospital (CSTH). Age, gender and BMI matched 55 participants without CNP (Healthy group) were recruited from the eye clinic UHKDU. Following a written consent, socio-demographics data were collected through a questionnaire, cervical active range of motion (AROM) was measured with a goniometer. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25.

Results:

The mean age of the population was 48.6 ±12.6 years and mean BMI was 26.6±4.3kg/m2. 76.4% of the study participants were females. 45.5% of the neck pain group (NP group) had the pain in their right side of the neck. 32.7% of the NP group experienced neck pain at night. Majority of the NP group reported referred pain along with neck pain (n=43, 78.2%). Among the population with referred pain, majority (n=48, 88%) complained of shoulder pain and (n=30, 54%) complained of upper back pain. Majority of the (n=32, 58.2%)  NP group, reffrained from activities of daily living due to neck pain. Mean pain intensity of the NP group reported at present was 4.9±1.8, at rest was 3.0±1.7, while during was 8.0±1.6. 81.8% of NP group had a severe pain during activities. There was a significant reduction of all cervical AROM movements in NP group compared to healthy group (P0.05). Cervical left rotation was the most restricted movement among them (Mean±SD Healthy group and NP group were 77.1±5.5 and 56.4±13.2 respectively, P=0.001). 

Conclusion(s):

People with neck pain has limited all cervical AROM compared to healthy individuals. Among all cervical movements, cervical rotation was predominantly affected.

Implications:

The findings indicate that cervical left rotation was the most restricted AROMs present in NP group. Consequently, physiotherapists should prioritize interventions that specifically target this movement in their rehabilitation programs to achieve the required range of motion.

Funding acknowledgements:
This work was conducted without any specific grant or funding from public, commercial, or non-profit organizations.
Keywords:
Chronic neck pain
Cervical active range of motion
Cross-sectional study
Primary topic:
Musculoskeletal: spine
Did this work require ethics approval?:
Yes
Name the institution and ethics committee that approved your work:
Ethical clearance was obtained from the ethical review committee, Faculty of Medicine, General Sir John Kotelawala Defense University.
Provide the ethics approval number:
RP/S/2023/32
Has any of this material been/due to be published or presented at another national or international conference prior to the World Physiotherapy Congress 2025?:
No

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