Respiratory dysfunction in patients with chronic neck pain - influence of thoracic spine and chest mobility.
Patients with chronic neck pain exhibit various musculoskeletal deficits and respiratory dysfunction. As there is a link between thoracic and cervical spine motion, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between thoracic spine and chest mobility with respiratory function and neck disability. Nineteen patients with chronic neck pain (7 male, 46.6 ± 10.5 years) and 19 healthy subjects (7 male, 46.5 ± 9.9 years) participated. Spirometry was conducted to determine maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV), maximal inspiratory (Pimax) and maximal expiratory pressure (Pemax). Thoracic spine mobility was measured using the Spinal Mouse(®). Chest expansion was assessed by subtracting chest circumference during maximal inspiration and expiration. Neck function was investigated by examining range of motion, forward head posture, neck flexor muscle synergy endurance and self-assessment (Neck disability index (NDI)). Correlation analyses and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted using MVV, Pimax and Pemax as independent variables. Thoracic spine mobility during flexion and chest expansion correlated significantly to MVV (r = 0.45 and 0.42), all neck motions (r between 0.39 and 0.59) and neck muscle endurance (rS = 0.36). Pemax and Pimax were related to NDI (r = -0.58 and -0.46). In the regression models, chest expansion was the only significant predictor for MVV, and Pemax was determined by neck muscle endurance. These results suggest that chronic neck pain patients should improve the endurance of the neck flexor muscles and thoracic spine and chest mobility. Additionally, these patients might benefit from respiratory muscle endurance training, possibly by increasing chest mobility and Pemax.
Motor Control and Learning, Institute for Human Movement Sciences and Sports, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. Electronic address: brigitte.wirth@hest.ethz.ch.
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Wirth
Motor Control and Learning, Institute for Human Movement Sciences and Sports, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Amstalden
Exercise Physiology Lab, Institute for Human Movement Sciences and Sports, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Perk
Exercise Physiology Lab, Institute for Human Movement Sciences and Sports, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Boutellier
Department of Chiropractic, Balgrist Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Humphreys
D000328:Adult; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000502:physiology*; D013147:Spirometry; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013909:Thorax / Q000503:physiopathology*
Neck pain; Respiratory dysfunction; Thoracic spine