Socio-demographic and physical factors associated with disability in adults with non-specific chronic neck pain

Abstract

While socio-demographic, physical and other factors are associated with neck pain, there is scanty literature about how these factors are associated with disability in adults suffering from this condition. We aimed to determine the socio-demographic and physical (strength and range of motions) related factors of disability in adults with non-specific chronic neck pain. A total of 34 adults with neck pain, with mean age 55 (10.80) years from a physiotherapy clinic in a teaching hospital participated in this study. Socio-demographic details such as body mass index (BMI), current employment status, hours of exercise done a week were obtained. Severity of pain was evaluated using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). Disability level was assessed using Neck Disability Index. Cervical range of motion was measured using the Cervical Range of Motion device. A hand dynamometer was used to measure the dominant hand grip muscle strength. The data was analyzed using descriptive and stepwise linear regression analysis. More than half the participants were females, above 50 years, in the overweight group (BMI>25 kg/m2 ), currently unemployed and had severe neck pain (NRS >7). Handgrip strength was the only factor found to be significantly (p<0.05) related to neck disability. The results from our study suggest that improving general muscle conditioning and strength are important in preventing neck disability among adults with non-specific neck pain.