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

January 13, 2021 updated by: NAİME ULUG, Atılım University

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.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed 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.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

50

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Turkey
    • Select State
      • Ankara, Select State, Turkey, 06830
        • Naime Ulug

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

22 years to 65 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Fifty volunteer individual from academic staff diagnosed with nonspecific chronic neck-pain patients agedbetween 22 and 65 years

Description

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.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Observational Models: Case-Only
  • Time Perspectives: Cross-Sectional

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Factors Affecting Neck Posture
Time Frame: 6months
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

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Atılım University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

January 13, 2020

Primary Completion (Actual)

June 18, 2020

Study Completion (Actual)

July 22, 2020

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

October 19, 2020

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 13, 2021

First Posted (Actual)

January 15, 2021

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

January 15, 2021

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 13, 2021

Last Verified

January 1, 2021

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 59394181-604.01.01-752

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

Undecided

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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