Which muscles exhibit increased stiffness in people with chronic neck pain? A systematic review with meta-analysis.
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ABSTRACT: Introduction
Chronic neck pain (CNP) substantially impacts quality of life, posing both personal challenges and economic strains. This systematic review sought to discern muscle-specific stiffness differences between CNP patients and individuals without CNP.Methods
We searched the PubMed, Scopus, and PEDro databases for studies using ultrasound elastography or myotonometry to compare muscle stiffness between CNP patients and asymptomatic controls. Using a meta-analysis with a random-effects model, we derived the pooled effect as standardized mean difference (SMD).Results
Out of the six studies selected, the adjusted Newcastle-Ottawa rating scale for cross-sectional studies denoted three as moderate-quality and three as high-quality. Our findings indicate that the upper trapezius (UT) stiffness was elevated in CNP patients compared to their counterparts without CNP (SMD = 0.39, 95% CI = 0.05 to 0.74; p = 0.03; small effect size). The data for other muscles remained inconclusive.Discussion
Given the case-control design of all reviewed studies, a direct causative link between UT stiffness and CNP is yet to be confirmed. As such, recommending a reduction in trapezius muscle stiffness as a primary rehabilitation strategy for CNP patients is still inconclusive and further research is needed.
SUBMITTER: Opara M
PROVIDER: S-EPMC10498279 | biostudies-literature | 2023
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Which muscles exhibit increased stiffness in people with chronic neck pain? A systematic review with meta-analysis.
Frontiers in sports and active living 20230830
<h4>Introduction</h4>Chronic neck pain (CNP) substantially impacts quality of life, posing both personal challenges and economic strains. This systematic review sought to discern muscle-specific stiffness differences between CNP patients and individuals without CNP.<h4>Methods</h4>We searched the PubMed, Scopus, and PEDro databases for studies using ultrasound elastography or myotonometry to compare muscle stiffness between CNP patients and asymptomatic controls. Using a meta-analysis with a ran ...[more]
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