Effect of Different Head-Neck Positions on Hand Grip Strength in Management of Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain

Abstract

Background: Neck pain is a common musculoskeletal condition and a significant contributor to global disability. The estimated one-year prevalence of neck pain was about 45.5% within office workers, with a range from 45.8% to 54.7% within healthcare professionals. This study was done to examine the impact of mechanical neck pain with different neck positions [neutral, rotation to either left or right] on hand grip strength among young adults.

Methods: This pre-test post-test randomized control group experimental double-blind study was conducted on 57 patients suffering from chronic mechanical neck pain (CMNP), aged from 18 to 25 years old. They were randomized into three equivalent groups. Group A: was given conventional treatment for CMNP from neutral head-neck position. Group B: was given conventional treatment for CMNP from rotation 45 ° to the right. Group C: was given conventional treatment for CMNP from rotation 45 ° to the left. All groups were given treatment three sessions a week for 4 successive weeks. Pain was measured by visual analogue scale, hand grip strength was evaluated by hand-held dynamometer and upper extremity function was measured by Arabic version of the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH-Arabic).

Results: Post-treatment within-group results indicated a statistically significant enhancement in the mean values of pain, hand grip strength, as well as upper limb function in groups A, B, and C in relation to pre-treatment values. However, no statistically significant improvement was noted in group C post treatment in pain, hand grip strength and upper extremity function in relation to group A and B.

Conclusions: Different Head - neck positions in patients with CMNP not significantly proved to have an effect on pain, hand grip strength, and upper limb function. However, Hand grip strength was highest in head-neck right rotation followed by the neutral position of head-neck and head-neck left. Future studies should be conducted, considering potential factors that may influence hand grip strength (HGS), including age, sex, as well as body mass index.