scholarly journals Neck proprioception assessment with a laser beam device: reliability in participants without neck pain and differences between participants with and without neck pain

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikolaos Ntenezakos ◽  
Michail Makrogkikas ◽  
Zacharias Dimitriadis ◽  
George A. Koumantakis
Keyword(s):  
Neck Pain ◽  
Laser Beam ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Random Order ◽  
Chronic Neck Pain ◽  
Movement Direction ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Target Movement ◽  
Good Reliability ◽  
Head Neck

Abstract Background Proprioception deficits have previously been reported in patients with non-specific chronic neck pain (NSCNP), with a comprehensive and valid battery of tests still required. This study aimed to investigate the test-retest and inter-rater reliability of cervical proprioception in participants without NSCNP and to examine differences in proprioception between participants with and without NSCNP. Twenty participants without NSCNP and 20 age- and sex-matched participants with NSCNP were recruited. Proprioception tests were sequentially performed in random order, in four head-to-neutral movement directions (starting positions at mid-flexion, mid-extension and mid-right/mid-left rotation head-neck positions and end position at neutral head-neck posture) and two head-to-target movement directions (starting position from neutral head-neck posture and end positions at right and left 45° rotation), with a laser beam device secured onto their forehead. Participants performed all tests in sitting at a 1-m distance from a whiteboard. The average deviations of the laser beam mark from set targets marked on the whiteboard represented proprioception deficits. The two-way random, absolute agreement model of the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), the standard error of the measurement (SEM) and the smallest detectable difference (SDD) were used as measures of reliability. Between-group differences were examined with the independent samples t test. Results The reliability of the laser beam device in participants without neck pain varied from poor to good. The following tests demonstrated good reliability: test-retest ‘Head-to-neutral from flexion’ (ICC: 0.77–0.78; SDD: 5.73–6.84 cm), inter-rater ‘Head-to-neutral from flexion’ (ICC: 0.80–0.82; SDD: 6.20–6.45 cm) and inter-rater ‘Head-to-neutral from right/left rotation’ (ICC: 0.80–0.84; SDD: 5.92–6.81 cm). Differences between participants with and without NSCNP were found only in head-to-neutral from flexion (4.10–4.70 cm); however, those were within the limits of the SDD values of the HtN from flexion test. Conclusions The laser beam device can be reliably used in clinical practice only in the aforementioned head-neck movement directions, based on the findings of the present study. The between-group differences noted involved only the head mid-flexion to neutral test, possibly denoting proprioception deficits only in this movement direction, for reasons that require further evaluation.

scholarly journals Inter-Visit Reliability of Smooth Pursuit Neck Torsion Test in Patients with Chronic Neck Pain and Healthy Individuals

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 752
Author(s):  
Ziva Majcen Rosker ◽  
Miha Vodicar ◽  
Eythor Kristjansson
Keyword(s):  
Neck Pain ◽  
Smooth Pursuit ◽  
Torsion Test ◽  
Chronic Neck Pain ◽  
Neutral Position ◽  
Target Movement ◽  
Good Reliability ◽  
Interclass Correlation ◽  
Smallest Detectable Change ◽  
Neck Torsion

Visual disturbances are commonly reported in patients with neck pain. Smooth pursuit neck torsion (SPNT) test performed in neutral position and with trunk rotated under the stationary head has been used to discriminate between those with cervical component and those without. However, no studies investigated the reliability of the SPNT-test in patients with chronic neck pain and healthy controls. The aim of this study was to assess inter-visit reliability of the SPNT-test while applying different amplitudes and velocities of target movement. Thirty-two controls and thirty-one patients were enrolled in the study. The SPNT-test was performed in neutral position and through 45° torsion positions. The test was performed at 20°/s, 30°/s and 40°/s velocities and at 30°, 40° and 50° amplitudes of cyclic sinusoidal target movements. Interclass correlation coefficient and smallest detectable change were calculated for parameters of gain and SPNT-differences. In patients, moderate to good reliability was observed for gain at 40° and 50° amplitudes and for 20°/s and 30°/s velocities, while moderate to excellent reliability for gain was observed in controls. Both groups presented with moderate to good reliability for SPNT-difference. Our findings imply that amplitudes of 40° and 50° and velocities of 20°/s and 30°/s are the most reliable and should be applied in future studies assessing oculomotor functions during the SPNT test.

Scapular exercise combined with cognitive functional therapy is more effective at reducing chronic neck pain and kinesiophobia than scapular exercise alone: a randomized controlled trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (12) ◽  
pp. 1485-1496 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norollah Javdaneh ◽  
Amir Letafatkar ◽  
Sadredin Shojaedin ◽  
Malihe Hadadnezhad
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Neck Pain ◽  
Pain Intensity ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Chronic Neck Pain ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Functional Therapy ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of scapular exercises alone and combined with cognitive functional therapy in treating patients with chronic neck pain and scapular downward rotation impairment. Design: Single-blind randomized controlled trial. Setting: Outpatient. Subjects: A total of 72 patients (20–45 years old) with chronic neck pain were studied. Intervention: Allocation was undertaken into three groups: scapular exercise ( n = 24), scapular exercise with cognitive functional therapy ( n = 24) and control ( n = 24) groups. Each programme lasted three times a week for six weeks. Main outcomes: The primary outcome measure was pain intensity measured by the visual analogue scale scores. The secondary outcome measures included kinesiophobia and muscles activity. Results: Statistically significant differences in pain intensity were found when multidisciplinary physiotherapy group including a cognitive functional approach was compared with the scapular exercise alone group at six weeks (effect size (95% CI) = −2.56 (−3.32 to −1.80); P = 0.019). Regarding kinesiophobia, a significant between-group difference was observed at six-week (effect size (95% CI) = −2.20 (−2.92 to −1.49); P = 0.005), with the superiority of effect in multidisciplinary physiotherapy group. A significant between-group differences was observed in muscle activity. Also, there were significant between-group differences favouring experimental groups versus control. Conclusion: A group-based multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme including scapular exercise plus cognitive functional therapy was superior to group-based scapular exercise alone for improving pain intensity, kinesiophobia and muscle activation in participants with chronic neck pain.

scholarly journals A New Method of Isometric Dynamometry for the Craniocervical Flexor Muscles

2005 ◽  
Vol 85 (6) ◽  
pp. 556-564 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaun P O'Leary ◽  
Bill T Vicenzino ◽  
Gwendolen A Jull
Keyword(s):  
Neck Pain ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
New Method ◽  
Muscle Performance ◽  
Neutral Position ◽  
Flexor Muscle ◽  
Maximal Voluntary Isometric Contraction ◽  
Good Reliability ◽  
Flexor Muscles ◽  
History Of

Abstract Background and Purpose. A new method of dynamometry has been developed to measure the performance of the craniocervical (CC) flexor muscles by recording the torque that these muscles exert on the cranium around the CC junction. This report describes the method, the specifications of the instrument, and the preliminary reliability data. Subjects and Methods. For the reliability study, 20 subjects (12 subjects with a history of neck pain, 8 subjects without a history of neck pain) performed, on 2 occasions, maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) tests of CC flexion in 3 positions within the range of CC flexion and submaximal sustained tests (20% and 50% of MVIC) in the middle range of CC flexion (craniocervical neutral position). Reliability coefficients were calculated to establish the test-retest reliability of the measurements. Results. The method demonstrated good reliability over 2 sessions in the measurement of MVIC (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]=.79–.93, SEM=0.6–1.4 N·m) and in the measurement of steadiness (standard deviation of torque amplitude) of a sustained contraction at 20% of MVIC (ICC=.74–.80, SEM=0.01 N·m), but not at 50% of MVIC (ICC=.07–.76, SEM=0.04–0.13 N·m). Discussion and Conclusion. The new dynamometry method appears to have potential clinical application in the measurement of craniocervical flexor muscle performance.

scholarly journals Reliability of a laser beam device for the assessment of head repositioning accuracy in patients with chronic neck pain

Acta Gymnica ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michail Makrogkikas ◽  
Nikolaos Ntenezakos ◽  
George A. Koumantakis ◽  
Zacharias Dimitriadis
Keyword(s):  
Neck Pain ◽  
Laser Beam ◽  
Chronic Neck Pain

Determinants of Performance in a New Test of Planned Agility for Young Elite Basketball Players

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 160-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Delextrat ◽  
Bernard Grosgeorge ◽  
Francois Bieuzen
Keyword(s):  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Random Order ◽  
Countermovement Jump ◽  
Basketball Players ◽  
Good Reliability ◽  
Jump Performance ◽  
Typical Error ◽  
Straight Line ◽  
Fitness Tests ◽  
Error Of Measurement

Purpose:To investigate the reliability and determinants of performance in a new test of planned agility in elite junior basketball players.Methods:Seventeen female (15.1 ± 0.4 y, 176.9 ± 11.2 cm, 65.7 ± 10.9 kg) and 42 male (14.9 ± 0.4 y, 193.7 ± 8.1 cm, 79.0 ± 12.0 kg) elite junior basketball players performed 5 fitness tests presented in a random order, including a 20-m sprint, a planned-agility test, a triple bilateral horizontal countermovement jump, and 2 triple unilateral horizontal countermovement jumps (with each leg separately). The novelty of the planned-agility test is that it included both offensive and defensive movements. The determinants of planned agility were assessed by a stepwise-regression analysis, and the reliability of the new test was evaluated by the intraclass correlation coefficient and the typical error of measurement.Results:The main results show good reliability of the new test of planned agility. In addition, the determinants of planned-agility performance were different between genders, with sprint performance explaining 74.8% of the variance for girls, while unilateral jump performance and body mass were the most important for boys, accounting for 24.0% and 8.9% of the variance, respectively, in planned agility.Conclusions:These results highlight a gender effect on the determinants of planned-agility performance in young elite basketball players and suggest that straight-line sprint and unilateral horizontal tests must be implemented to test elite junior players.

scholarly journals Shear wave elastography of the upper trapezius muscle in patient with chronic neck pain: is there a correlation between elastic modulus and intensity of pain?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junsheng Ge ◽  
Jun Zhang ◽  
Zhi Jie Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Neck Pain ◽  
Shear Wave ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Trapezius Muscle ◽  
Shear Wave Elastography ◽  
Chronic Neck Pain ◽  
Intraclass Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Upper Trapezius ◽  
Upper Trapezius Muscle

Abstract Background Chronic neck pain is a common discomfort and the alteration of elasticity of the upper trapezius in pathological conditions is unknown. Therefore, the aims of this investigation were (1) to determine the intra- and inter-operator reliability of evaluating the elasticity of the upper trapezius by shear wave elastography in individuals with chronic neck pain; (2) to examine the alteration for the upper trapezius during cervical flexion; and (3) to explore the correlation between elasticity of the upper trapezius and pain intensity. Methods Thirty individuals with chronic neck pain were recruited for this study. Alteration in elasticity of upper trapezius was evaluated by shear wave elastography during cervical flexion at 0°and 50°. Results The intra- and inter-operator reliability was excellent with the intraclass correlation coefficients ranging from 0.92 to 0.98. An increase of 30.80% was shown in the elasticity of the upper trapezius during cervical flexion of the painful side. In addition, there was a significant positive correlation between elasticity of the upper trapezius and intensity of pain (rho=0.647, P <0.05). Conclusion Shear wave elastography is a feasible tool for assessing changes of elasticity in muscles, and the findings in this investigation might be a good reference of evaluating upper trapezius elastic alterations in chronic neck pain.

scholarly journals Can People with Chronic Neck Pain Recognize Their Own Digital Pain Drawing?

2020 ◽  
Vol 2;23 (4;2) ◽  
pp. E231-E240
Author(s):  
Deborah Falla
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Neck Pain ◽  
Pain Perception ◽  
Random Order ◽  
Chronic Neck Pain ◽  
Somatic Awareness ◽  
Laboratory Methods ◽  
Pain Drawings ◽  
Original Size ◽  
University Laboratory

Background: Although the reliability of pain drawings (PDs) has been confirmed in people with chronic pain, there is a lack of evidence about the validity of the PD, that is, does the PD accurately represent the pain experience of the patient? Objectives: We investigate whether people with chronic neck pain (CNP) can recognize their own PD to support the validity of the PD in reporting the experience of pain. Moreover, we examined the association between their ability to recognize their own PD with their levels of pain intensity and disability and extent of psychosocial and somatic features. Study Design: Experimental. Setting: University Laboratory. Methods: Individuals with CNP completed their PD on a digital body chart, which was then automatically modified with specific dimensions using a novel software, providing an objective range of distortion and eliminating errors, which could potentially occur in manually controlled visual-subjective based methods. Following a 10-minute break listening to music, a series of 20 PDs were presented to each patient in a random order, with only 2 being their original PD. For each PD, the patients rated its likeliness to their own original PD on a scale from 0 to 100, with 100 representing “this is my pain.” Results: Overall, the patients rated their original PD with a median score of 92% similarity, followed by 91.8% and 89.5% similarity when presented with a PD scaled down to 75% and scaled up by 150% of the original size, respectively; these scores were not significantly different to the ratings given for their original PD. The PD with horizontal translation by 40 pixels (8%) and vertical translation by 70 pixels (12.8%) were rated as the most dissimilar to their original PD; these scores were significantly different to their original PD scores. The Spearman correlation coefficient revealed a significant negative association between their ability to recognize their original PD and their Modified Somatic Perceptions Questionnaire scores. Limitations: The patients in the study presented with relatively mild CNP, and the results may not be generalized to those with more severe symptoms. Conclusions: People with CNP are generally able to identify their own PD but that their ability to recognize their original PD is negatively correlated with the extent of somatic awareness. Key words: Chronic pain, perception, pain drawings, somatic awareness

Reliability of Head, Neck, and Trunk Anthropometric Measurements Used for Predicting Segment Tissue Masses in Living Humans

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 373-378
Author(s):  
Nicole C. George ◽  
Charles Kahelin ◽  
Timothy A. Burkhart ◽  
David M. Andrews
Keyword(s):  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Prediction Equation ◽  
Anthropometric Measurements ◽  
Good Reliability ◽  
Tissue Mass ◽  
Upper And Lower Extremities ◽  
The Right ◽  
Relative Differences ◽  
Head Neck

Soft and rigid tissue mass prediction equations have been previously developed and validated for the segments of the upper and lower extremities in living humans using simple anthropometric measurements. The reliability of these measurements has been found to be good to excellent for all measurement types (segment lengths, circumferences, breadths, skinfolds). However, the reliability of the measurements needed to develop corresponding equations for the head, neck, and trunk has yet to be determined. The purpose of this study was to quantify the inter- and intrameasurer reliability of 34 surface anthropometric measurements of the head, neck, and trunk segments. Measurements (11 lengths, 7 circumferences, 11 breadths, 5 skinfolds) were taken twice separately on 50 healthy, university-age individuals using standard anthropometric tools. The mean inter- and intrameasurer measurement differences were fairly small overall, with 64.7% and 67.6% of the relative differences less than 5%, respectively. All measurements, except for the right lateral trunk, had intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) greater than 0.75, and coefficients of variation (CVs) less than 10%, indicating good reliability overall. These results are consistent with previous work for the extremities and provide support for the use of the defined surface measurements for future tissue mass prediction equation development.

Effectiveness of Specific Neck Stabilization Exercises or a General Neck Exercise Program for Chronic Neck Disorders: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2009 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 390-397 ◽  
Author(s):  
CATHRIN GRIFFITHS ◽  
KRYSIA DZIEDZIC ◽  
JACKIE WATERFIELD ◽  
JULIUS SIM
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Clinical Outcome ◽  
Neck Pain ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Chronic Neck Pain ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Specific Exercise ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Neck Stabilization

Objective.In a cohort of primary care patients with chronic neck pain, to determine whether specific neck stabilization exercises, in addition to general neck advice and exercise, provide better clinical outcome at 6 weeks than general neck advice and exercise alone.Methods.This was a multicenter randomized controlled trial in 4 physical therapy departments. Seventy-four participants (mean age 51.3 yrs) were randomized to specific neck stabilization exercises with a general neck advice and exercise program (n = 37) or a general neck advice and exercise program alone (n = 37). They attended a 1-hour clinical examination, followed by a maximum of 4 treatment sessions. Assessments were undertaken at baseline, 6 weeks, and 6 months. The primary outcome was the Neck Pain and Disability Scale (NPDS). Analysis was by intention to treat.Results.Seventy-one (96%) participants received their allocated intervention. There was 91% followup at 6 weeks and 92% followup at 6 months. The mean (SD) 6-week improvement (reduction) in NPDS score was 10.6 (20.2) for the specific exercise program and 9.3 (15.7) for the general exercise program. There were no significant between-group differences in the NPDS at either 6 weeks or 6 months. For secondary outcomes, participants in the specific exercise group were less likely to be taking pain medication at 6-week followup (p = 0.02). There were no other significant between-group differences.Conclusion.Adding specific neck stabilization exercises to a general neck advice and exercise program did not provide better clinical outcome overall in the physical therapy treatment of chronic neck pain.

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