Keywords
Muscle strength characteristics
Submitted : 2024-06-18
Accepted : 2024-07-03
Published : 2024-07-18
Abstract
Objective: To provide new insights for the evaluation and diagnosis of chronic neck pain (CNP). Methods: 22 patients with CNP and 22 healthy individuals were recruited from South China Normal University, who were all college students. The subjects’ neck extensor muscle strength in the head neutral position, the natural anteversion position, and the maximum forward flexion position were measured by an isometric muscle strength tester respectively. The neck extensor strength of CNP patients and healthy subjects were compared. Results: In the neutral position, the maximum isometric muscle strength of neck extensor muscles was 12.31 kg for CNP patients and 15.16 kg for healthy individuals, resulting in a ratio of 81% strength in patients compared to healthy subjects. This difference was highly significant (P < 0.000). In the natural anteversion position, the respective values were 12.6 kg for CNP patients and 15.05 kg for healthy individuals, with a ratio of 83%, and a significant difference between groups (P < 0.001). In the maximum forward flexion position of the head, the values were 13.36 kg for CNP patients and 16.15 kg for healthy individuals, with a ratio of 82%, and a highly significant difference (P < 0.000). Conclusion: The neck extensor muscle strength levels in college students with CNP were significantly lower compared to healthy college students across all measured positions.
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