The influence of neck pain on sensorimotor function in the elderly

Greater disturbances in sensorimotor control have been demonstrated in younger to middle aged groups. However, it is unknown whether or not the impairments documented in these populations can be extrapolated to elders with neck pain. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of neck pai...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Uthaikhup S., Jull G., Sungkarat S., Treleaven J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: 2014
Online Access:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3502482
http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84865644465&partnerID=40&md5=0f12a6a7136927063720350c7f6bd889
http://cmuir.cmu.ac.th/handle/6653943832/801
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Institution: Chiang Mai University
Language: English
Description
Summary:Greater disturbances in sensorimotor control have been demonstrated in younger to middle aged groups. However, it is unknown whether or not the impairments documented in these populations can be extrapolated to elders with neck pain. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of neck pain on sensorimotor function in elders. Twenty elders with neck pain (12 women and 8 men) and 20 healthy elder controls (14 women and 6 men) aged 65 years and over were recruited from the general community. Tests for sensorimotor function included; cervical joint position sense (JPS); computerised rod-and-frame test (RFT); smooth pursuit neck torsion test (SPNT); standing balance (under conditions of eyes open, eyes closed on firm and soft surfaces in comfortable stance); step test and ten-meter walk test with and without head movement. Elders with neck pain had greater deficits in the majority of sensorimotor function tests after controlling for effects of age and comorbidities. Significant differences were found in the SPNT (p< 0.01), error in the RFT (frame angled at 10° and 15° anticlockwise) (p< 0.05), standing balance (amplitude of sway) - eyes open on a firm surface in the medio-lateral (ML) direction (p= 0.03), and total number of steps on the step test, both left and right sides (p< 0.01). Elders with neck pain have greater sensorimotor disturbances than elders without neck pain, supporting a contribution of altered afferent information originating from the cervical spine to such disturbances. The findings may inform falls prevention and management programs. © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.