File
Hebert L.J.1,2,3, Poitras I.4, Roos M.5, Côté J.N.6, Roy J.-S.5,7
1Université Laval, Rehabilitation, Quebec, Canada, 2Université Laval, Radiology/Nuclear Medicine, Quebec, Canada, 3Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration (CIRRIS), Québec, Canada, 4Université Laval, Experimental Medicine, Quebec, Canada, 5Université Laval, Rehabilitation (Physiotherapy), Quebec, Canada, 6McGill University, Kinesiology and Physical Education, Quebec, Canada, 7Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration (CIRRIS), Quebec, Canada
Background: A survey of Canadian Forces (CF) Griffon helicopter aircrew indicated an 80% incidence of neck pain in that population. Preventive measures to mitigate neck pain in this population have been proposed and the Royal Canadian Air Force has made reducing the prevalence of aircrew neck pain a high priority.
Purpose: To describe the baseline profile of Canadian Forces (CF) Griffon helicopter aircrew in terms of pain, functional limitations and physical impairments (strength, endurance and range of motion [ROM]) of the cervical region and to compare the profiles between the ones that did report pain to the ones who did not.
Methods: Descriptive statistics were used to describe the prevalence of neck pain during the previous week and 3 months (Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire), as well as neck pain related impairments, limitations and restrictions (neck disability index [NDI]), cervical ROM (Multi Cervical Unit MCUTM and neck muscles strength (maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC)) and endurance). Two group assignations were used: a ´´Pain´´ group (PG: those who reported pain in the last three months) and a ´´No pain´´ group (NPG). T-tests were used to assess statistical differences for each variable between the PG and NPG.
Results: Fifty-two men and two women (mean age: 36.78 +/- 7.96) were recruited at CF bases Valcartier (n=32) and Gagetown (n=22). They reported a total of 31-neck pain episodes in the past week and of those, 12 were linked to flying activities. The percentage of participants who experienced more than one pain episode in the past week or in the past 3-months were 33% and 50%, respectively. The PG reported higher duration of flight (6.30 vs 2.77h; p=0.002) and more extensive Night Vision Goggles (NVG) wearing during the day (0.38 vs 0.06h; p=0.0031) and at night (2.15 vs 0.96h; p=0.0027). The CF aircrew did not report significant physical limitations or functional restrictions (mean NDI score, PG/NPG = 5.90 ± 4.25/0.90 ± 1.67, p ≤ 0.0001). Ninety seven percent (97%) of participants had NDI scores 10/50 from which 50% of those had NDI scores 5/50. The cervical ROM was significantly higher in the NPG for all combined neck movements (p ≤ 0.05) but similar for the neck flexion and extension. Strength was significantly higher in the NPG for all MVIC performed (p ≤ 0.05). No difference was found for the neck muscle endurance between the PG and NPG.
Conclusion(s): Only a few RCAF aircrews in this cohort reported some functional limitations because of their neck pain; however, a low but recurrent level of pain even over a short period of time seems to impact on their neck mobility and strength.
Implications: These findings reinforce our approach to focus on training military aircrew to adopt a neuromuscular strategy allowing a better use of their deep neck muscle stabilizers.
Funding acknowledgements: This project was funded by the Surgeon General Health Research Program of the CF Health Services Group.
Topic: Musculoskeletal
Ethics approval: Human research ethics committee review of the Defence Research and Development Canada / Ethics review committee of the CIRRIS
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
