Assessment of motion in the cervico-thoracic spine in patients with subacute whiplash-associated disorders.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the distribution of segmental flexion mobility in the cervico-thoracic spine of men and women with whiplash-associated disorders. The study also assesses the relationship between cervical mobility and segmental flexion mobility, and whether hypomobility in C7-T1 is associated with neck pain and weakness in the hands. Finally, the study investigates the impact of fear of movement/(re)injury and pain intensity on cervical mobility.


METHODS
The data in this longitudinal study was obtained from a previous trial on 47 patients. Assessments were performed at baseline and 3 and 9 months following randomization using a cervical range of motion instrument, the cervico-thoracic ratio, a Grippit, a visual analogue scale, a Painmatcher, and the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia.


RESULTS
Women exhibited hypomobility in C7-T1. There was no significant association between the 2 cervical measurement techniques. The correlation between flexion mobility in C7-T1 and grip strength was weak but significant (r=-0.3) (p<0.05). There was also a weak but significant negative correlation between total cervical mobility and neck pain intensity. No significant correlation was found between fear of movement/(re)injury and cervical mobility.


CONCLUSIONS
Women with whiplash-associated disorders seem to exhibit flexion hypomobility in C7-T1. The flexion mobility in C7-T1 was weakly, but significantly, correlated with grip strength, but was not shown to predict neck pain. Neck pain may give rise to restricted range of motion.
Bunketorp Käll
Lina
L
Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Occupational Therapy, Audiology and Physiotherapy, The Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden. lina.bunketorp@gu.se
D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010147:Pain Measurement; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014911:Whiplash Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation