title: The slow and fast components of postural sway in chronic neck pain.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several studies have reported altered postural control in people with neck pain. The aim of this study was to increase the understanding of the nature of altered postural control in neck pain by studying the slow and fast components of body sway.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects with whiplash associated disorders (WAD, n = 21) and chronic non-specific neck pain (NS, n = 24) were compared to healthy controls (CON, n = 21) in this cross-sectional study. The magnitudes of the slow and fast sway components were assessed in Rhomberg quiet stance for 30 s on a force plate with eyes closed. We also investigated associations between postural sway and symptoms, self-ratings of functioning and kinesiophobia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Increased magnitude of the slow sway component was found in WAD, but not in NS. Greater magnitude of the slow component in WAD was associated with poorer physical functioning, including balance disturbances, and more severe sensory symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increased magnitude of the slow sway component implies an aberration in sensory feedback or processing of sensory information in WAD. The associations between postural sway and self-rated characteristics support the clinical validity of the test. Further investigation into NS, involving a longer test time is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Gävle, Box 7629, Umeå 90712, Sweden. ulrik.roijezon@ltu.se
authors.forename: Ulrik
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Röijezon
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Björklund
authors.forename: Mats
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Djupsjöbacka
mesh_terms: D000054:Acceleration; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014911:Whiplash Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D055815:Young Adult