Relationships between clinical features of neck pain and reaction and response times in individuals with chronic neck pain
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: Dysfunction of sensorimotor integration can influence the execution of the reaction time and motor task. Although evidence suggests the association of neck pain and sensorimotor dysfunction, relationship between clinical features of neck pain and reaction and response times is still unknown.
Objectives: To examine the relationship between clinical features of neck pain and upper limb disability, and reaction and response times in individuals with chronic neck pain.
Materials and methods: Fifty-six individuals with chronic neck pain aged between 18-59 years were recruited for the study. Clinical features included pain intensity using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), pain duration, neck disability using Neck Disability Index-Thai version (NDI-TH), and upper limb disability using Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand-Thai version (DASH-TH). Hand reaction and response times were assessed using hand-held electronic timer with a modified computer mouse and foot reaction and response times using a pedal switch. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to analyze the relationships between variables.
Results: NDI-TH score was mildly correlated with hand and foot reaction and response times (r ranged from 0.29 and 0.32, p<0.05). DASH-TH score (8 items related to neck pain) was positively correlated with hand reaction and response times (r=0.26 and 0.34, respectively, p<0.05) but not with foot reaction and response times (p>0.05). There was no correlation between intensity and duration of neck pain and the hand and foot reaction and response times (p>0.05).
Conclusion: There was a mild correlation between neck and upper limb disability and slower hand reaction and response times. The neck disability was mildly correlated with slower foot reaction and response times.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Personal views expressed by the contributors in their articles are not necessarily those of the Journal of Associated Medical Sciences, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University.
References
[2] Vuillerme N, Pinsault N, Vaillant J. Postural control during quiet standing following cervical muscular fatigue: effects of changes in sensory inputs. Neurosci Lett 2005; 378: 135-9.
[3] Treleaven J. Dizziness, unsteadiness, visual disturbances, and sensorimotor control in traumatic neck pain. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2017; 47: 492-502.
[4] Treleaven J. Sensorimotor disturbances in neck disorders affecting postural stability, head and eye movement control. Man Ther 2008; 13: 2-11.
[5] Machado S, Cunha M, Velasques B, Minc D, Teixeira S, Domingues C, et al. Sensorimotor integration: basic concepts, abnormalities related to movement disorders and sensorimotor training-induced cortical reorganization. Rev Neurol 2010; 51: 427-36.
[6] Cabib C, Llufriu S, Casanova-Molla J, Saiz A, Valls-Sole J. Defective sensorimotor integration in preparation for reaction time tasks in patients with multiple sclerosis. J Neurophysiol 2015; 113: 1462-9.
[7] Zaranka J, Pečeliūnas R, Matijošius J. Analysis of the influence of fatigue on passenger transport drivers’ performance capacity. Transport 2012; 27: 351-6.
[8] Barr C, Barnard R, Edwards L, Lennon S, Bradnam L. Impairments of balance, stepping reactions and gait in people with cervical dystonia. Gait Posture 2017; 55: 55-61. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2017.04.004.
[9] Sandlund J, Roijezon U, Bjorklund M, Djupsjobacka M. Acuity of goal-directed arm movements to visible targets in chronic neck pain. J Rehabil Med 2008; 40: 366-74. doi: 10.2340/16501977-0175.
[10] Huysmans MA, Hoozemans MJ, van der Beek AJ, de Looze MP, van Dieen JH. Position sense acuity of the upper extremity and tracking performance in subjects with non-specific neck and upper extremity pain and healthy controls. J Rehabil Med 2010; 42: 876-83. doi: 10.2340/16501977-0585.
[11] Hermann KM, Reese CS. Relationships among selected measures of impairment, functional limitation, and disability in patients with cervical spine disorders. Phys Ther 2001; 81: 903-14.
[12] Falla D, O'Leary S, Farina D, Jull G. Association between intensity of pain and impairment in onset and activation of the deep cervical flexors in patients with persistent neck pain. Clin J Pain 2011; 27: 309-14. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0b013e31820212cf.
[13] Kumbhare D, Parkinson W, Upadhye S, Cherian J, Adachi J, Sne N, et al. Validity of the neck disability index for measuring impairment in whiplash. J Pain 2012. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2012.01.016.
[14] Chiu TT, Lam TH, Hedley AJ. Correlation among physical impairments, pain, disability, and patient satisfaction in patients with chronic neck pain. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2005; 86: 534-40.
[15] Petersen SM, Wyatt SN. Lower trapezius muscle strength in individuals with unilateral neck pain. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2011; 41: 260-5.
[16] de Vries J, Ischebeck BK, Voogt LP, van der Geest JN, Janssen M, Frens MA, et al. Joint position sense error in people with neck pain: a systematic review. Man Ther 2015; 20: 736-44.
[17] Osborn W, Jull G. Patients with non-specific neck disorders commonly report upper limb disability. Man Ther 2013; 18: 492-7.
[18] Paksaichol A, Janwantanakul P, Lawsirirat C. Development of a neck pain risk score for predicting nonspecific neck pain with disability in office workers: a 1-year prospective cohort study. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2014; 37: 468-75.
[19] Ara T, Iizuka H, Sorimachi Y, Iizuka Y, Nakajima T, Nishinome M, et al. Evaluation of neck pain by using a visual analog scale before and after laminoplasty in patients with cervical myelopathy: relationship with clinical results. J Neurosurg Spine 2010; 12: 635-40.
[20] Uthaikhup S, Paungmali A, Pirunsan U. Validation of Thai versions of the neck disability index and neck pain and disability scale in patients with neck pain. Spine 2011; 36: E1415-21.
[21] Tongprasert S, Rapipong J, Buntragulpoontawee M. The cross-cultural adaptation of the DASH questionnaire in Thai (DASH-TH). J Hand Ther 2014; 27: 49-54.
[22] Lord SR, Menz HB, Tiedemann A. A physiological profile approach to falls risk assessment and prevention. Phys Ther 2003; 83: 237-52.
[23] Steinmetz A, Jull GA. Sensory and sensorimotor features in violinists and violists with neck pain. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2013; 94: 2523-8.
[24] Tisserand R, Robert T, Chabaud P, Bonnefoy M, Cheze L. Elderly fallers enhance dynamic stability through anticipatory postural adjustments during a choice stepping reaction time. Front Hum Neurosci 2016. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2016.00613.
[25] Roscoe JT. Fundamental research statistics for the behavioral sciences. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston; 1975.
[26] Stanton TR, Leake HB, Chalmers KJ, Moseley GL. Evidence of impaired proprioception in chronic, idiopathic neck pain: systematic review and meta-analysis. Phys Ther 2016; 96: 876-87.
[27] Boyd-Clark LC, Briggs CA, Galea MP. Muscle spindle distribution, morphology, and density in longus colli and multifidus muscles of the cervical spine. Spine 2002; 27: 694-701.