Ann Rehabil Med.  2020 Feb;44(1):58-68. 10.5535/arm.2020.44.1.58.

Differences of Spinal Curvature, Thoracic Mobility, and Respiratory Strength Between Chronic Neck Pain Patients and People Without Cervical Pain

• Cheon JH
• Lim NN
• Lee GS
• Won KH
• Lee SH
• Kang EY
• Lee HK
• Cho Y

• KMID: 2501046
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5535/arm.2020.44.1.58

Abstract

Objective
To investigate the differences of spinal curvature, thoracic sagittal mobility, and respiratory strength between patients with chronic neck pain (CNP) and people without cervical pain, and to determine the correlation between respiratory strength and thoracic mobility in CNP patients.
Methods
A total of 78 participants were finally included in this study, of whom 30 had no cervical pain and 48 had CNP. The Neck Disability Index (NDI), cervical lordotic curvature, thoracic kyphotic curvature, thoracic sagittal range of motion (ROM), maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) were measured and analyzed.
Results
In males, thoracic sagittal ROM_MEP-MIP and MEP showed a significant difference between the no cervical pain group and the CNP group. In females, thoracic kyphotic curvature, thoracic sagittal ROM_MEP-MIP, MIP, and MEP were significantly different between the no cervical pain group and the CNP group. Thoracic kyphotic curvature was significantly correlated with MEP and MIP in all population groups, and significantly correlated with NDI in the female group. Thoracic sagittal ROM_MEP-MIP had a significant linear relationship with NDI, MEP, and MIP in all population groups.
Conclusion
The thoracic mobility during forced respiration was reduced in patients with CNP and was correlated with respiratory strength. Changes in the biomechanics of the cervicothoracic spine and rib cage due to CNP may contribute to impairment of respiratory strength.

Keyword

Neck pain; Respiratory function tests; Spinal curvatures

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1. Curves drawn through flexicurve and formula for calculating thoracic curvature. The straight line (X) was measured between C7 and T12 and the straight line (B) was measured between X and apex of kyphosis. The kyphotic angle was calculated by the formula: arctan(B/X1) + arctan(B/X2).

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  Fig. 2. Thoracic kyphotic curvature is measured by flexicurve. The subject is sitting on a chair without backrest. (A) Extending back while taking maximal inspiration to respiratory pressure meter. (B) Bending the trunk while taking maximal expiration to respiratory pressure meter.

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  Fig. 3. Selection of study population. NDI, Neck Disability Index; CNP, chronic neck pain.

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