Article

OBJECTIVE: To compare the pattern of neck extensor muscle use in participants
with chronic mechanical neck pain to that of healthy controls during 2 different
extension exercises by use of muscle functional magnetic resonance imaging
(mfMRI). DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: University laboratory. PARTICIPANTS:
Data recorded from subjects with chronic mechanical neck pain (n=12; 10 women, 2
men) were compared with previously recorded data from healthy subjects (n=11; 7
men, 4 women). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: mfMRI
measures of shifts in T2 relaxation were made for the multifidus, semispinalis
cervicis, semispinalis capitis, and splenius capitis muscles, at C2-3, C5-6, and
C7-T1 levels, prior and immediately after 2 different exercises: cervical
extension in craniocervical neutral (CCN) and cervical extension in
craniocervical extension. T2 shift values (difference between pre- and
postexercise T2 relaxation values) for each muscle and exercise condition were
used for analysis. RESULTS: While there were observed differences in differential
activation of the extensor muscles in participants with mechanical neck pain
compared with controls, these differences were only evident for the CCN exercise
condition and were only observed for 3 out of the 7 muscle regions of interest
during this exercise. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study suggest some alteration
in the differential activation of the cervical extensors in patients with
mechanical neck pain and indicate that further investigation of this muscle group
in mechanical neck pain disorders is warranted.
CI - Copyright (c) 2011 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS