Hector Beltran-Alacreu1,2,3, Ibai López-de-Uralde-Villanueva1,2,3,4, César Calvo-Lobo5, Josué Fernández-Carnero2,3,4,6, Roy La Touche1,2,3,4. 1. Department of Physical Therapy, Superior Center for University Studies La Salle, Autonomous University, Autónoma University of Madrid, Spain. 2. Motion in Brains Research Group, Institute of Neuroscience and Movement Sciences (INCIMOV). Superior Center for University Studies La Salle, Autonomous University, Autónoma University of Madrid, Spain. 3. Institute of Neuroscience and Craniofacial Pain (INDCRAN), Madrid, Spain. 4. Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research, IdiPAZ, Madrid, Spain. 5. Nursing and Physical Therapy Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad de León, Ponferrada, León, Spain. 6. Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: To date, there are no cross-sectional studies considering the influence of disability level in patients with non-specific chronic neck pain. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to determine kinesiophobia, active cervical range of movement (CROM), and pressure pain threshold (PPT) differences between different disability levels (mild, moderate, and severe) in subjects with non-specific chronic neck pain and asymptomatic subjects. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study. Subjects were recruited from a primary health care center and an outpatient department hospital. A total sample of 128 subjects, 96 of them with nonspecific chronic neck pain and 32 asymptomatic, were recruited. The NDI was used to divide the subjects with chronic neck pain into 3 groups (mild, moderate, and severe disability). The main outcome measurement was the Tampa Scale of kinesiophobia (TSK-11). The secondary outcome measurements were the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), PPT (trapezius and tibialis anterior), CROM (flexion, extension, rotation, and lateral inclination) and pain duration. RESULTS: The ANOVA results revealed, in the comparisons between groups, statistically significant differences for the VAS between the mild-severe (P < 0.01) and moderate-severe groups (P < 0.01), but not between the mild-moderate groups (P > 0.05); for the TSK, differences were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Kinesiophobia may not be influenced by disability level in patients with chronic non-specific neck pain. Nevertheless, pain intensity and chronicity of patients with severe neck disability are increased with respect to mild and moderate disability index.
BACKGROUND: To date, there are no cross-sectional studies considering the influence of disability level in patients with non-specific chronic neck pain. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to determine kinesiophobia, active cervical range of movement (CROM), and pressure pain threshold (PPT) differences between different disability levels (mild, moderate, and severe) in subjects with non-specific chronic neck pain and asymptomatic subjects. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study. Subjects were recruited from a primary health care center and an outpatient department hospital. A total sample of 128 subjects, 96 of them with nonspecific chronic neck pain and 32 asymptomatic, were recruited. The NDI was used to divide the subjects with chronic neck pain into 3 groups (mild, moderate, and severe disability). The main outcome measurement was the Tampa Scale of kinesiophobia (TSK-11). The secondary outcome measurements were the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), PPT (trapezius and tibialis anterior), CROM (flexion, extension, rotation, and lateral inclination) and pain duration. RESULTS: The ANOVA results revealed, in the comparisons between groups, statistically significant differences for the VAS between the mild-severe (P < 0.01) and moderate-severe groups (P < 0.01), but not between the mild-moderate groups (P > 0.05); for the TSK, differences were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Kinesiophobia may not be influenced by disability level in patients with chronic non-specific neck pain. Nevertheless, pain intensity and chronicity of patients with severe neck disability are increased with respect to mild and moderate disability index.