Publication
Title
Changes in muscle morphology in female chronic neck pain patients using magnetic resonance imaging
Author
Abstract
Study Design. Population-based cross-sectional study. Objective. The aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of changes in muscle morphology in patients with chronic idiopathic neck pain (CINP) and chronic whiplash-associated disorder (CWAD). Summary of Background Data. Worldwide, neck pain (NP) is a common health problem with high socioeconomic burden. A high percentage of these patients evolves toward chronic symptoms. Efficacy of treatments for these complaints remains variable. In current literature, changes in muscle morphology (muscle fat infiltration and cross-sectional area) have been reported in patients with NP, both CWAD and CINP. However, no strong conclusions could be made. Methods. In this study, magnetic resonance imaging was used to obtain data on muscle morphology from 14 cervical flexor and extensor muscles in 117 female subjects with NP (CWAD = 37; CINP = 45) and healthy controls (HC = 35). Results. The CWAD group had a significantly larger muscle fat infiltration in some extensor (semispinalis and splenius capitis, trapezius, obliquus capitis inferior) and flexor (sternocleidomastoid) muscles compared to the CINP and/or HC group. A significantly larger (muscle) cross-sectional area was found in some extensor (levator scapulae, semispinalis capitis, trapezius) and flexor (longus colli, longus capitis, sternocleidomastoid) muscles in the HC group compared to the CINP and/or CWAD group. No clear associations were found between group differences and factors as pain duration, kinesiophobia, and disability. Conclusion. The results in this study suggest changes in muscle morphology in both NP cohorts. These results show some similarities with earlier findings in this research domain. Further studies based on controlled longitudinal designs are needed to facilitate data compilation, to draw stronger conclusions, and to integrate them into the treatment of patients with chronic NP.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Spine. - Hagerstown, Md
Publication
Hagerstown, Md : 2021
ISSN
0362-2436
DOI
10.1097/BRS.0000000000003856
Volume/pages
46 :10 (2021) , p. 638-648
ISI
000663721700008
Pubmed ID
33290364
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 30.07.2021
Last edited 02.10.2024
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