Predictive Factors for Respiratory Muscle Strength and Function in Chronic Neck Pain

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to determine whether neck function-related variables can predict impaired pulmonary function in individuals with chronic neck pain (CNP). Materials and Methods: Predictive parameters of neck pain were examined in 73 patients (mean age 35.19±10.34) with CNP. Respiratory muscle strength, including maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), was measured using a mouth pressure device. Spirometry was used to assess forced expiratory volume (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and peak expiratory flow rate (PEF). Pain intensity, disability, endurance of deep cervical flexors (DCF), neck range of motion (ROM), hand grip strength (HGS), and psychological states were evaluated. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of respiratory parameters. Results: ROM and depression levels were common predictors for MIP and MEP. DCF performance significantly predicted MIP, while HGS predicted MEP (R²=0.338). Flexion ROM predicted FEV1, whereas flexion ROM and DCF performance predicted FVC. Neck disability significantly predicted FEV1/FVC and FEF. Flexion and extension ROM with HGS were strong predictors of PEF (R²=0.424). Conclusion: Impairments in local muscle function, neck disability, and psychological conditions in CNP may affect pulmonary function. Clinicians should include respiratory evaluation and appropriate interventions in the management of patients with chronic neck pain.

Keywords

• respiratory function tests
• respiratory muscles
• neck pain

Kronik Boyun Ağrısında Solunum Kas Gücü ve Fonksiyonunun Prediktör Faktörleri

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışma, kronik boyun ağrısı (KBA) olan bireylerde boyun fonksiyonuna ilişkin değişkenlerin bozulmuş pulmoner fonksiyonu öngörüp öngöremeyeceğini belirlemeyi amaçlamıştır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Boyun ağrısına ilişkin öngörücü parametreler, KBA tanılı 73 hastada (ortalama yaş 35,19±10,34) incelenmiştir. Solunum kas gücü, maksimal inspiratuar basınç (MIP) ve maksimal ekspiratuar basınç (MEP) ölçümleriyle bir ağız basınç cihazı kullanılarak değerlendirilmiştir. Spirometri ile zorlu ekspiratuar hacim (FEV1), zorlu vital kapasite (FVC) ve tepe ekspiratuar akım hızı (PEF) ölçülmüştür. Ağrı şiddeti, özür düzeyi, derin servikal fleksör (DCF) kaslarının enduransı, boyun hareket açıklığı (ROM), el kavrama gücü (HGS) ve psikolojik durumlar değerlendirilmiştir. Solunumsal parametrelerin yordayıcılarını belirlemek için çoklu regresyon analizi yapılmıştır. Bulgular: ROM ve depresyon düzeyleri hem MIP hem de MEP için ortak yordayıcılar olarak bulunmuştur. DCF performansı MIP’i, HGS ise MEP’i anlamlı şekilde yordarken (R²=0,338), fleksiyon ROM FEV1’i, fleksiyon ROM ve DCF performansı birlikte FVC’yi yordadığı görülmüştür. Boyun özür düzeyi FEV1/FVC ve FEF için anlamlı yordayıcıdır. Fleksiyon ve ekstansiyon ROM ile HGS’nin birlikte PEF için güçlü yordayıcılar olduğu belirlenmiştir (R²=0,424). Sonuç: KBA’lı bireylerde lokal kas fonksiyonlarındaki bozulmalar, boyun özrü ve psikolojik durumlar pulmoner fonksiyonları etkileyebilmektedir. Bu nedenle klinisyenlerin, kronik boyun ağrısı olan hastaların yönetiminde solunum değerlendirmesini ve uygun müdahaleleri sürece dahil etmeleri önerilmektedir.

Keywords

• solunum fonksiyon testleri
• solunum kasları
• boyun ağrısı

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