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Physikalische Medizin, Rehabilitationsmedizin, Kurortmedizin 2023; 33(04): 227-234
DOI: 10.1055/a-1916-0229
Original Article

Comparison of Cervical Joint Position Sense in Computer Users with Neck Pain, Forward Head Posture, Asymptomatic and Non-Computer Users – A Cross-Sectional Study

Vergleich Gelenkstellungssinns im Bereich der Halswirbelsäule bei Computernutzern mit Nackenschmerzen, nach vorn gestreckter Kopfhaltung oder Beschwerdefreiheit sowie bei Nicht-Computernutzern – eine Querschnittstudie
Ravi Shankar Reddy
1   Department of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
,
Mastour Saeed Alshahrani
1   Department of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
,
Jaya Shankar Tedla
1   Department of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
,
Snehil Dixit
1   Department of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
,
Faisal Asiri
1   Department of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
,
Mohammed Lafi Al-Otaibi
2   Department of Orthopedic Surgery, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
,
Venkata Nagaraj Kakaraparthi
1   Department of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
,
Sultan Mofreh A. Assiri
3   Department of Physical Therapy, Muhayel General Hospital, Asir Health Affairs, Ministry of Health, Abha, Saudi Arabia.
› Author Affiliations Financial support and sponsorship A grant from the King Khalid University (RGP 2/40/42) provided financial assistance for this research.
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Abstract

Purpose People use computers in offices and workplaces daily to perform different activities. Impaired cervical proprioception and forward head posture (FHP) may contribute to the development and maintenance of neck pain in computer users. The aims of this study are 1) to compare cervical joint position sense (JPS) in computer users with neck pain, with FHP, healthy computer users, and healthy non-computer users, 2) to assess the relationship between cervical JPS and age, BMI, pain, disability, head posture, and duration of computer usage.

Materials and Methods This cross-sectional study included 134 subjects aged between 25 to 50 years old in four groups (Group 1: computer users with neck pain (n=31), group 2: computer users with FHP (n=33), Group 3: healthy computer users (n=35), and Group 4: healthy non-computer users (n=35). The cervical JPS was evaluated in flexion, extension left and right rotation directions using a cervical range of motion device. The reposition accuracy is estimated as joint position error (JPE) in degrees. The cervical JPS is compared between groups and correlated with age, BMI, pain, disability, head posture, and duration of computer usage.

Results and Discussion The mean cervical JPE's were significantly larger in the neck pain group (p<0.001) and in the FHP group (p<0.001) compared to other groups. There were no significant differences in JPE's between healthy computer users and non-users (p.>0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between JPE's and age, pain intensity, disability, and computer usage duration.

Conclusion Computer users with neck pain and with FHP had significantly impaired cervical JPS. Factors like FHP, pain intensity, disability, and duration of computer usage may influence cervical JPS, and these factors can be considered when assessing and planning treatment strategies for computer professionals.

Zusammenfassung

Fragestellung und Hintergrund Computer werden täglich im Büro und am Arbeitsplatz für verschiedene Aufgaben verwendet. Eine Beeinträchtigung der Propriozeption im Bereich der Halswirbelsäule (HWS) und eine nach vorne gerichtete Kopfhaltung tragen möglicherweise zur Entwicklung und Aufrechterhaltung von Nackenschmerzen bei Computerbenutzern bei. Ziel der vorliegenden Studie ist es, 1) den Gelenkstellungssinn im Bereich der HWS bei Computerbenutzern mit Nackenschmerzen, nach vorne gerichteter Kopfhaltung oder Beschwerdefreiheit sowie bei gesunden Nicht-Computerbenutzern zu vergleichen und 2) die Beziehung zwischen Gelenkpositionssinn und Alter, BMI, Schmerz, Beeinträchtigung, Kopfhaltung und Dauer der Computernutzung zu prüfen.

Patienten und Methodik In die Querschnittstudie wurden 134 Teilnehmer im Alter zwischen 25 und 50 Jahren aufgenommen und in vier Gruppen eingeteilt (Gruppe 1: Computerbenutzer mit Nackenschmerzen (n=31); Gruppe 2: Computerbenutzer mit nach vorne gerichtete Kopfhaltung (n=33); Gruppe 3: beschwerdefreie Computerbenutzer (n=35) und Gruppe 4: beschwerdefreie Nicht-Computernutzer (n=35). Der Gelenkstellungssinn im Bereich der HWS wurde in Flexions- und Extensionsstellung sowie bei Rotation nach links und rechts mithilfe eines Geräts zur Messung des Bewegungsumfangs der Halswirbelsäule beurteilt. Die Genauigkeit der Rückkehr in die Ausgangsgelenkstellung wurde als Gelenkstellungsfehler in Grad abgeschätzt. Es erfolgte ein Vergleich des Gelenkstellungssinns im Bereich der HWS zwischen den Gruppen und die Ermittlung der Korrelation mit Alter, BMI, Schmerz, Beeinträchtigung, Kopfhaltung und Dauer der Computernutzung.

Ergebnisse und Diskussion Es fand sich eine signifikante Erhöhung des mittleren HWS-Gelenkstellungsfehlers in der Gruppe mit Nackenschmerzen (p<0,001) und in der Gruppe mit nach vorne gerichteter Kopfhaltung (p<0,001) im Vergleich zu den anderen Gruppen. Die Gelenkstellungsfehler bei beschwerdefreien Computerbenutzern und Nicht-Computerbenutzern waren nicht signifikant verschieden (p>0,05). Es bestand eine signifikant positive Korrelation zwischen Gelenkstellungsfehler und Alter, Schmerzintensität, Beeinträchtigung und Dauer der Computernutzung.

Schlussfolgerung Die Computerbenutzer mit Nackenschmerzen und mit nach vorne gerichteter Kopfhaltung wiesen eine signifikante Beeinträchtigung des Gelenkstellungssinns im Bereich der HWS auf. Faktoren wie nach vorne gerichtete Kopfhaltung, Schmerzintensität, Beeinträchtigung und Dauer der Computernutzung beeinflussen möglicherweise den Gelenkstellungssinn im HWS-Bereich. Diese Faktoren können bei der Beurteilung und Planung von Behandlungsstrategien für Berufstätige mit Computerarbeitsplatz berücksichtigt werden.

Key words

position sense - posture - neck pain - computers - cervical spine - neck pain

Schlüsselwörter

Stellungssinn - Haltung - Computerbenutzer - Halswirbelsäule - Nackenschmerzen


Publication History

Received: 28 November 2021

Accepted: 02 August 2022

Article published online:
06 September 2022

© 2022. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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