Factors Affecting Neck Posture in Academicians With Non-specific Neck Pain

Neck Pain Clinical Trial

Official title:

Factors Affecting Neck Posture in Academicians With Non-specific Neck Pain

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT04712682
• Other study ID #: 59394181-604.01.01-752
• Status: Completed
• Start date: January 13, 2020
• Est. completion date: July 22, 2020

Study information

• Verified date: January 2021
• Source: Atilim University
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Observational

Clinical Trial Summary

There is evidence showing that musculoskeletal problems in the cervical and thoracic region are common among academicians and with it, compared to other musculoskeletal pain the pattern and physical risk factors for neck pain was at the highest percentage.

One of the most common postural disorders in the neck and shoulder girdle occurs when the position of the head is displaced to forward relation to the point of support, which is called forward head posture (FHP).

The aim of the present study is to investigate factors affecting neck posture in academicians with non-specific neck pain.

Investigators investigated whether there is a correlation between craniovertebral angle (CVA) and joint position sense, deep cervical muscle strength and endurance in academicians with chronic non-specific neck pain.

Description:

Chronic non-specific neck pain is one of the most important common musculoskeletal problem which has considerable impact on personal and financial costs. Because of physical work factors, neck pain is significantly associated with holding the neck in a prolonged forward posture and performing repetitive movements.

Proper posture is defined as a musculoskeletal balance which involves a minimal amount of stress and strain on the body. Postural assessment is one of the most important parts of the physical examination process. Although correct posture is desired, many people do not exhibit good posture.

Forward head posture(FHP) is the most common cervical postural fault in the sagittal plane that is found with different severity levels in almost all populations.

One of the most common postural disorders in the neck and shoulder girdle occurs when the position of the head is displaced to forward relation to the point of support, which is called forward head posture (FHP). The craniovertebral angle (CVA) is a widely used method for the objective measurement of FHP severity. A smaller CVA indicated a greater FHP and a CVA less than 48-50 is defined as FHP .

It has been reported that approximately 61.3% of adults who work using a computer and have neck pain have an anterior tilt posture of the head. This postural disorder is caused by various factors like sleeping with the head too high, prolonged computer use, weak back muscles, etc. In recent years, the widespread use of computers in offices has caused people to use their personal computers too much in their daily life. These changes can cause a bad posture and accompanying neck pain.

Long-term work in front of a computer requires a static posture of the upper body. To maintain the static posture, the neck, shoulder and upper extremity muscles are overloaded and consequently injured. Uncomfortable posture, especially depending on the viewing angle of the screen and the position of the chair and table, can shorten soft tissues and cause muscle tension, weakness and muscle fatigue. Some researchers reported that the muscle tension and stress that occurs in shortened structures, this condition can cause pain and this can develop a vicious cycle of muscle tension-pain-increased tension-increased pain.

From the point of view of biomechanics, FHP causes changes in the muscle tendon unit length of the cervical extensors and flexors and the atlanto-occipital joint.

The tendency to stay seated for long periods of time is increasing as is the percentage of the population that use a personal computer or smart phone.

This can cause changes in the alignment of the spine, leading to improper posture, such as a rounded shoulder or forward head posture (FHP) . The CVA is a widely used method for the objective measurement of FHP.

The cervical vertebra plays role in proprioceptive sensory input. The proprioceptive perception of the cervical vertebra carry information to correct malalignment and has an important role in postural control. It also reacts sensitively for proper movement of the head by acting in coordination with the sensory feedback from the vestibular system.

FHP can produce problems such as increasing stress on the posterior cervical elements, restriction in range of cervical motion, muscular activity level and impair cervical proprioception.

Academicians may have to be standing position for a long time, use a computer in a static posture, and work in a stressful mood caused by academic progress anxieties.

Accordingly, in a study the academicians reported the upper back and neck regions, as most common musculoskeletal problems.

Researchers found that in academicians compared to other musculoskeletal pain the pattern and physical risk factors for neck pain was at the highest percentage.

To our knowledge, there is no study evaluating factors affecting neck posture in academicians with non-specific neck pain.

The aim of our study is to examine the relationship between neck posture and neck pain and the factors affecting neck posture among academicians.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 50
• Est. completion date: July 22, 2020
• Est. primary completion date: June 18, 2020
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: All
• Age group: 22 Years to 65 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• suffering from chronic neck pain greater than 3 months' duration, participated in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• diagnosis of cervical radiculopathy or myelopathy and history of cervical and thoracic spine fracture or surgery.

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Craniovertebral Angle
• Neck Pain
• Work-Related Condition

Intervention

Other:
• Assessment of neck posture.
pain, pain threshold, CVA angle, muscle strenght test, joint position sense test

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
Turkey	Naime Ulug	Ankara	Select State

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Atilim University

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Turkey, 

References & Publications (17)

15. Basakc¸i C¸B, Telli AB, Bas ¸gan E, Go¨kc¸e B. Analyzing muscu- loskeletal system discomfort, work interference and risk fac- tors of office workers with computer users. Journal of Mar- mara University Institute of Health Sciences. 2013; 3(4): 208- 214.

Cagnie B, Danneels L, Van Tiggelen D, De Loose V, Cambier D. Individual and work related risk factors for neck pain among office workers: a cross sectional study. Eur Spine J. 2007 May;16(5):679-86. Epub 2006 Dec 8. — View Citation

Eltayeb S, Staal JB, Hassan A, de Bie RA. Work related risk factors for neck, shoulder and arms complaints: a cohort study among Dutch computer office workers. J Occup Rehabil. 2009 Dec;19(4):315-22. doi: 10.1007/s10926-009-9196-x. — View Citation

Ghamkhar L, Kahlaee AH. Is forward head posture relevant to cervical muscles performance and neck pain? A case-control study. Braz J Phys Ther. 2019 Jul - Aug;23(4):346-354. doi: 10.1016/j.bjpt.2018.08.007. Epub 2018 Aug 22. — View Citation

Haughie LJ, Fiebert IM, Roach KE (1995) Relationship of forward head posture and cervical backward bending to neck pain. J Manual Manip Ther 3(3):91-97

Hoy DG, Protani M, De R, Buchbinder R. The epidemiology of neck pain. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2010 Dec;24(6):783-92. doi: 10.1016/j.berh.2011.01.019. Review. — View Citation

Johnson MB, Van Emmerik R EA. Effect of head orientation on postural control during upright stance and forward lean. Motor Control. 2012 Jan;16(1):81-93. — View Citation

Kang JH, Park RY, Lee SJ, Kim JY, Yoon SR, Jung KI. The effect of the forward head posture on postural balance in long time computer based worker. Ann Rehabil Med. 2012 Feb;36(1):98-104. doi: 10.5535/arm.2012.36.1.98. Epub 2012 Feb 29. — View Citation

Khayatzadeh S, Kalmanson OA, Schuit D, Havey RM, Voronov LI, Ghanayem AJ, Patwardhan AG. Cervical Spine Muscle-Tendon Unit Length Differences Between Neutral and Forward Head Postures: Biomechanical Study Using Human Cadaveric Specimens. Phys Ther. 2017 Jul 1;97(7):756-766. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzx040. — View Citation

Larsson B, Søgaard K, Rosendal L. Work related neck-shoulder pain: a review on magnitude, risk factors, biochemical characteristics, clinical picture and preventive interventions. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2007 Jun;21(3):447-63. Review. — View Citation

Mohan V, Justine M, Jagannathan M, Bt Aminudin S, Bt Johari SH. Preliminary study of the patterns and physical risk factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among academicians in a higher learning institute. J Orthop Sci. 2015 Mar;20(2):410-7. doi: 10.1007/s00776-014-0682-4. Epub 2014 Dec 27. — View Citation

Nejati P, Lotfian S, Moezy A, Nejati M. The study of correlation between forward head posture and neck pain in Iranian office workers. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2015;28(2):295-303. doi: 10.13075/ijomeh.1896.00352. — View Citation

Özdinç S, Kayabinar E, Özen T, Turan FN, Yilmaz S. Musculoskeletal problems in academicians and related factors in Turkey. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2019;32(6):833-839. doi: 10.3233/BMR-181171. — View Citation

Patwardhan AG, Havey RM, Khayatzadeh S, Muriuki MG, Voronov LI, Carandang G, Nguyen NL, Ghanayem AJ, Schuit D, Patel AA, Smith ZA, Sears W. Postural Consequences of Cervical Sagittal Imbalance: A Novel Laboratory Model. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2015 Jun 1;40(11):783-92. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000000877. — View Citation

Sauter SL, Schleifer LM, Knutson SJ. Work posture, workstation design, and musculoskeletal discomfort in a VDT data entry task. Hum Factors. 1991 Apr;33(2):151-67. — View Citation

Shaghayegh Fard B, Ahmadi A, Maroufi N, Sarrafzadeh J. Evaluation of forward head posture in sitting and standing positions. Eur Spine J. 2016 Nov;25(11):3577-3582. Epub 2015 Oct 17. — View Citation

Yip CH, Chiu TT, Poon AT. The relationship between head posture and severity and disability of patients with neck pain. Man Ther. 2008 May;13(2):148-54. Epub 2007 Mar 23. — View Citation

* Note: There are 17 references in all — Click here to view all references

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Factors Affecting Neck Posture	to investigate if there is a correlation between craniovertebral angle and joint position sense, deep cervical muscle strength and endurance in academicians with chronic non-specific neck pain	6months