Kronik Boyun Ağrılı Bireylerde Ağrı, Denge, Propriosepsiyon, Kas Sertliği ve Kuvvetinin İncelenmesi

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate muscle stiffness, joint position sense, pain threshold, muscle strength, balance, postural stability, kinesiophobia, pain catastrophizing thinking, anxiety, and depression levels in individuals with chronic neck pain. A case-control study with 47 individuals with chronic neck pain and 47 asymptomatic controls was designed. Muscle stiffness was measured with elastography, joint range of motion and joint position sense were measured with a digital inclinometer, and pain threshold was measured with an algometer. Muscle strength of neck flexion and extension was assessed with an isokinetic dynamometer, and balance and stability were assessed using a computerized balance system. Pain severity was measured with the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), kinesiophobia was measured with the Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale (TKS), pain catastrophizing was measured with the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), depression was measured with the Beck Depression Scale (BDS), anxiety was measured with the Trait Anxiety Inventory, and quality of life was measured with Nottingham Health Profile. It was found that muscle stiffness of upper trapezius, sternocleidomastoideus and levator scapulae, reposition errors in joint position sense tests, anteroposterior scores in postural stability tests, and scores of TKS, PCS, and BDS were higher in the chronic neck pain group compared to the healthy group (p<0.05). Pain thresholds of upper trapezius, levator scapulae, splenius kapitis, C7 spinous process and the range of motion of neck were lower in the neck pain group compared to the control group (p<0.05). A correlation was found between joint range of motion and disability, trapezius muscle stiffness and pain severity, pressure-pain threshold and quality of life, static postural control and quality of life, and also a correlation of kinesiophobia, pain catastrophizing thinking, and depression with disability and quality of life was observed (p<0.05). A correlation of joint position sense with muscle stiffness and postural control was observed in addition to a correlation between muscle strength and pressure-pain threshold (p<0.05). These results suggest that there are a lot of changes in muscle structure and function, somatosensory senses, and psychological condition in individuals with neck pain. It was considered that these findings may guide the planning of treatment programs and improve treatment success.