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European Journal of Applied Physiology

Published in:

01-10-2013 | Original Article

Experimentally induced deep cervical muscle pain distorts head on trunk orientation

Authors: Malmström Eva-Maj, Westergren Hans, Fransson Per-Anders, Karlberg Mikael, Magnusson Måns

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 10/2013

Abstract

Purpose

We wanted to explore the specific proprioceptive effect of cervical pain on sensorimotor control. Sensorimotor control comprises proprioceptive feedback, central integration and subsequent muscular response. Pain might be one cause of previously reported disturbances in joint kinematics, head on trunk orientation and postural control. However, the causal relationship between the impact of cervical pain on proprioception and thus on sensorimotor control has to be established.

Methods

Eleven healthy subjects were examined in their ability to reproduce two different head on trunk targets, neutral head position (NHP) and 30° target position, with a 3D motion analyser before, directly after and 15 min after experimentally induced neck pain. Pain was induced by hypertonic saline infusion at C2/3 level in the splenius capitis muscle on one side (referred to as “injected side”).

Results

All subjects experienced temporary pain and the head repositioning error increased significantly during head repositioning to the 30° target to the injected side (p = 0.011). A post hoc analysis showed that pain interfered with proprioception to the injected side during acute pain (p < 0.001), but also when the pain had waned (p = 0.002). Accuracy decreased immediately after pain induction for the 30° target position to the side where pain was induced (3.3 → 5.3°, p = 0.033), but not to the contralateral side (4.9 → 4.1°, p = 0.657). There was no significant impact of pain on accuracy for NHP. A sensory mismatch appeared in some subjects, who experienced dizziness.

Conclusions

Acute cervical pain distorts sensorimotor control with side-specific changes, but also has more complex effects that appear when pain has waned.

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Title: Experimentally induced deep cervical muscle pain distorts head on trunk orientation
Authors: Malmström Eva-Maj
Westergren Hans
Fransson Per-Anders
Karlberg Mikael
Magnusson Måns
Publication date: 01-10-2013
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 10/2013
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-013-2683-y

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Experimentally induced deep cervical muscle pain distorts head on trunk orientation

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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