Gabriela Amaral1, Helena Martins1, Anabela G Silva2,3. 1. School of Health Sciences, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal. 2. School of Health Sciences, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal. 3. Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS.UA), Aveiro, Portugal, Phone: +234401558, extension: 23899, Fax: +234401597.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: This study investigated whether young university students with neck pain (NP) have postural control deficits when compared to sex and age-matched asymptomatic subjects. METHODS: Centre of pressure (COP) sway area, velocity, anterior-posterior and mediolateral distances were measured in participants with (n=27) and without (n=27) neck pain for different combinations of static standing (narrow stance, tandem stance and single leg stance) and measurement time (90, 60, 30 and 15 s) with eyes closed using a force plate. Additionally, static and dynamic clinical tests of postural control were used. RESULTS: No significant between group differences were found for the COP measurements (p>0.05). However, individuals with subclinical NP were more likely to fail the 90 s tandem test (p<0.05) in the force plate and univariate comparisons revealed significant between group differences in the tandem and single leg stance clinical test measurements. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, the inconsistent results might suggest an emerging postural control deficit in university students with low disability and low intensity chronic idiopathic NP.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: This study investigated whether young university students with neck pain (NP) have postural control deficits when compared to sex and age-matched asymptomatic subjects. METHODS: Centre of pressure (COP) sway area, velocity, anterior-posterior and mediolateral distances were measured in participants with (n=27) and without (n=27) neck pain for different combinations of static standing (narrow stance, tandem stance and single leg stance) and measurement time (90, 60, 30 and 15 s) with eyes closed using a force plate. Additionally, static and dynamic clinical tests of postural control were used. RESULTS: No significant between group differences were found for the COP measurements (p>0.05). However, individuals with subclinical NP were more likely to fail the 90 s tandem test (p<0.05) in the force plate and univariate comparisons revealed significant between group differences in the tandem and single leg stance clinical test measurements. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, the inconsistent results might suggest an emerging postural control deficit in university students with low disability and low intensity chronic idiopathic NP.
Entities:
Keywords:
neck pain; postural balance; university students