A Study to Evaluate Correlation between Respiratory Function Measures – MVV, FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC Ratio to Pain, Disability Index and Craniocervical Angle in Persons with and without Chronic Neck Pain

Abstract

Back ground: Chronic neck pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal pain conditions experienced by
many people during their lives. Due to increased use of Tech devices & modern life style, forward head posture
& resultant neck pain becomes quiet common. Although patients with neck pain are managed predominantly as
musculoskeletal patients, there are indications that they also have poor pulmonary function as limited movement
of the neck muscles can result in impaired chest movements. The aim of this study was to examine whether
patients with chronic neck pain have impaired pulmonary measures.
Methodology: A cross sectional observational study was conducted to evaluate pulmonary function measures in
patients with chronic neck pain.100 subjects included dividing them into 2 groups. Group A: Patients with Chronic
Neck Pain. Group B: Age & sex matched healthy individuals. Written Consent was taken from the subjects and
the subjects were made to understand the purpose of the study. Spirometry was performed for all the subjects.
Forced vital capacities (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second of FVC (FEV1), ratio of FEV1/FVC and
maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) were recorded. Neck Disability Index (NDI), Numeric Pain Rating Scale
(NPRS) for pain & Craniocervical Angle (CCA) had also been considered for both the groups.
Results: Data analysis was done using Microsoft office Excel. The results showed that patients with chronic neck
pain yielded significantly reduced FVC, FEV1 and maximum voluntary ventilation (P < 0.005), but FEV1/FVC
ratio were not affected significantly (P > 0.5). Craniocervical Angle & Pain Intensity was found to be significantly
correlated with respiratory function.
Conclusion: Patients with chronic neck pain do not have optimal pulmonary function. Cervical spine muscle
dysfunction in parallel with pain intensity and kinesiophobia are factors that are associated mainly with this
respiratory dysfunction.