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BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 1/2022

Open Access 01-12-2022 | Neck Pain | Research article

Head kinematics in patients with neck pain compared to asymptomatic controls: a systematic review

Authors: Esther Franov, Matthias Straub, Christoph M. Bauer, Markus J. Ernst

Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders | Issue 1/2022

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Abstract

Background

Neck pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders encountered by healthcare providers. A precise assessment of functional deficits, including sensorimotor control impairment, is regarded necessary for tailored exercise programmes. Sensorimotor control can be measured by kinematic characteristics, such as velocity, acceleration, smoothness, and temporal measures, or by assessing movement accuracy. This systematic review aims to identify movement tasks and distinct outcome variables used to measure kinematics and movement accuracy in patients with neck pain and present their results in comparison to asymptomatic controls.

Methods

Electronic searches were conducted in MEDLINE, PEDro, Cochrane Library and CINAHL databases from inception to August 2020. Risk of bias of included studies was assessed. Movement tasks and specific outcome parameters used were collated. The level of evidence for potential group differences in each outcome variable between patients with neck pain and controls was evaluated.

Results

Twenty-seven studies examining head kinematics and movement accuracy during head-aiming, functional and unconstrained movement tasks of the head were included. Average Risk of Bias of included studies was moderate. In total, 23 different outcome variables were assessed. A strong level of evidence for an increased movement time in idiopathic neck pain, and for an increased number of errors during head aiming tasks in both idiopathic and traumatic neck pain was found. Moderate evidence was found in traumatic neck pain for a decreased mean velocity, and peak acceleration, and for an increased reaction time, further for a decreased time on target and increased point deviation during head aiming tasks. Moderate evidence was found for decreased acceleration during unconstrained movements, too.
Results on the remaining movement task and outcome variables showed only limited, very limited or even conflicting level of evidence for patients with neck pain to differ from controls.

Conclusions

Sensorimotor control in NP in the way of kinematic and movement accuracy characteristics of head motion was examined in head aiming, functional or unconstrained movement tasks.
The results from this review indicate that for some characteristics that describe sensorimotor control, patients with NP differ from healthy controls.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020139083.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
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Metadata
Title
Head kinematics in patients with neck pain compared to asymptomatic controls: a systematic review
Authors
Esther Franov
Matthias Straub
Christoph M. Bauer
Markus J. Ernst
Publication date
01-12-2022
Publisher
BioMed Central
Keyword
Neck Pain
Published in
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders / Issue 1/2022
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2474
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-022-05097-z

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