Balaganapathy M.1, Patel J.H.1
1Charotar University of Science and Technology, Physiotherapy, Anand, India
Background: Neck pain is becoming increasingly common throughout the world. It has a considerable impact on individuals and their families, communities, health-care systems, and businesses. Chronic neck pain is pain that occurs over a long period of time, usually more than three months. There are many causes for this condition. The pain can range from mild to severe. But there are no studies that has been done to know about the respiratory dysfunctions in chronic neck pain patients in pain and disability and their relationship.
Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the respiratory dysfunction in patients with chronic neck pain, and with which neck pain problems their respiratory strength is associated.
Methods: Hundred Participants of chronic neck pain were included and Respiratory function was tested according to standard testing Recommendations ( American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society), Neck ROM was measured using the universal goniometer, Neck disability was assessed by Gujarati version of Copenhagen neck functional disability scale, and pain intensity was measured according to VAS. Correlations between the parameters were calculated in all participants using the pearson correlation coefficient. The significance level was set 0.05.
Results: Significant fair correlations of flexion with FVC and MVV were found (r = 0.31, and r = 0.26). Significant fair correlation of extension with FVC (r = 0.25). Significant fair correlations of rotation with Pimax and Pemax were found (r = 0.25, and r = 0.33). Significant fair correlations of lateral flexion with MVV, Pimax, and Pemax were found (r = 0.30, r = 30, and r = 0.38). Significant fair correlation of pain intensity to FVC and PEFR (r = -0.46, and r = -0.43), apart from these significant moderate to good correlation to MVV, Pimax, and Pemax (r = -0.64, r = -0.67, and r = -0.56). The Copenhagen neck disability index scores showed a significant good correlation to Pimax and Pemax (r = -0.62, and r = -0.54), significant fair correlation to FVC, FEV1/FVC, PEFR and MVV (r = -0.28, r = -0.31, r = -0.45, and r = -0.41).
Conclusion(s): Respiratory functions are reduced in chronic neck pain patients. And it is highly correlated with the pain and disability then the neck mobility. Patients with chronic neck pain have weakness of their respiratory muscles. This weakness seems to be a result of the impaired global and local muscle system of neck pain patients.
Implications: Clinicians are advised to consider the respiratory system of patients with chronic neck pain during their usual assessment and appropriately address their treatment.
Funding acknowledgements: No funding was obtained.
Topic: Professional practice: other
Ethics approval: The study was approved by Institutional Review Board of Ashok & Rita Patel Institute of Physiotherapy.(ARIP/IRB/15/35)
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
