Article

Disturbance in neck muscle function is a well-known complication of
chronic nonspecific neck pain (CNNP). It is, however, unclear which muscles are
more susceptible to functional impairment in patients with CNNP during upper limb tasks. OBJECTIVES: To compare ultrasonographic changes in dorsal neck muscles
thickness in patients with CNNP and asymptomatic controls while they performed a
light load upper-limb movement.
SETTING: University
research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty individuals with CNNP with a mean age
of 23.35 +/- 2.94 and 20 asymptomatic controls with a mean age of 22.30 +/- 2.86,
without any history of cervical diskopathy, fracture, trauma, inflammation, and
spinal deformity were recruited for this study. METHODS: Ultrasonographic
measurement of dorsal neck muscles thickness was performed during a light load
3-second arm-elevation task (shoulder scaption to 120 degrees ) in the 2 groups.
Associations between pain intensity and patients' perceived disability and
between pain intensity and muscle thickness also were evaluated at the state of
rest. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The thickness changes of the dorsal neck muscles
throughout the arm elevation were calculated. The pain intensity and the
patient's perceived disability also were measured. RESULTS: A significant main
effect of muscle activity status was revealed for the multifidus and semispinalis
cervicis and the splenius capitis, indicating an increase in their thickness
throughout the arm elevation (P < .001). The only muscle that showed a difference
between groups was the multifidus (P = .007). Direct associations between pain
and disability (r = .48, P = .03) and between pain and multifidus thickness (r =
-.49, P = .03) also were observed. CONCLUSION:
The deteriorating effect of CNNP
on the neck muscles targets the deep layer of the dorsal neck muscles (ie, the
multifidus) more than the superficial muscles during light upper-limb tasks.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.
CI - Copyright (c) 2017 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS