Relationship Between Muscle Oxygenation and Upper Extremity Exercise Capacity in Patients With Chronic Neck Pain

Neck pain is an important public health problem that causes disability worldwide Chronic neck pain is defined as the presence of pain in an individual's neck area for more than twelve weeks. Chronic neck pain negatively affects the daily living activities of the individual; functional limitation causes job loss.

Neck pain has been observed to be associated with the trapezius muscle and impaired microcirculation in the trapezius muscle and inadequate muscle blood flow and oxygenation.

In addition, neck pain has been stated to reduce upper extremity performance. However, most of the results regarding the relationship between muscle activity and pain are not consistent. In addition, there are studies showing that respiratory muscles as well as peripheral muscles are affected in these patients. In the light of all this information, it was concluded that there may be a relationship between upper extremity exercise capacity and the oxygen level of the trapezius muscle and activities of daily living in patients with chronic neck pain. In this context, the aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between upper extremity exercise capacity and muscle oxygenation, muscle strength and activities of daily living in patients with chronic neck pain.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients with neck pain lasting at least 3 months due to one of the following problems: cervical strain or sprain, cervical disc lesions, cervical spondylosis, facet joint dysfunction, and myofascial pain syndrome.

Exclusion criteria

• Neck pain intensity during activity is below 3 points according to the Visual Analog Scale
• Upper extremity motor deficit on neurological examination
• Any surgery related to neck problems
• Cervical radiculopathy
• Any upper extremity surgery
• Any rheumatic and/or neurological disease or any disease affecting the vestibular system