Associations of Cervico-thoracic Posture, Range of Motion and Muscle Length in Patients with Neck Pain
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Abstract
Background: Associations among cervico-thoracic posture, range of motion (ROM) and muscle length of neck-shoulder regions in patients with neck pain were inconclusive.
Objective: To investigate the associations among cervico-thoracic posture, cervical ROM and muscle length of neck-shoulder regions in patients with neck pain.
Methods: Physical examination data in the Neck Assessment Form of 863 patients (299 males, 564 females) with neck pain were taken. Such data included forward head posture (FHP), thoracic hyperkyphosis, rounded shoulders, cervical ROM and muscle length of neck-shoulder regions. The data were analyzed using the Chi-square test.
Results: Significant associations between FHP and thoracic hyperkyphosis (c2=85.22, p<0.001), rounded shoulders (c2=87.38, p<0.001), cervical ROM in all directions (c2=5.64-9.07, p=0.003-0.018), muscle length of suboccipital, upper trapezius, scalene, pectoralis major and minor (c2=4.64-75.28, p<0.001-0.031) were found. Thoracic hyperkyphosis was associated with rounded shoulders (c2=17.03, p<0.001), muscle length of suboccipital, anterior scalene, pectoralis major and minor (c2=12.80-23.83, p<0.001). Rounded shoulders were associated with cervical ROM in lateral flexion (c2=11.11, p=0.001) and rotation (c2=7.03, p=0.008), muscle length of suboccipital, levator scapulae, scalene, subscapularis, pectoralis major and minor (c2=4.70-63.51, p<0.001-0.014).
Conclusion: FHP was associated with cervical ROM in all directions while rounded shoulders were associated with cervical ROM in lateral flexion and rotation. Individuals with FHP or thoracic hyperkyphosis or rounded shoulders had tightness of suboccipital, anterior scalene, pectoralis major and minor muscles in common. Tightness of upper trapezius muscle was found in individuals with FHP, while tightness of levator scapulae and subscapularis muscles was found in those with rounded shoulders.
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