TY - JOUR
T1 - Cervical muscle volume in individuals with idiopathic neck pain compared to asymptomatic controls
T2 - A cross-sectional magnetic resonance imaging study
AU - Snodgrass, Suzanne J.
AU - Croker, Christopher
AU - Yerrapothu, Meghana
AU - Shepherd, Samala
AU - Stanwell, Peter
AU - Holder, Carl
AU - Oldmeadow, Chris
AU - Elliott, James
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 Elsevier Ltd
PY - 2019/12
Y1 - 2019/12
N2 - Background: Neck muscle compositional changes may represent potential biomarkers contributing towards chronic neck-related pain and disability. Objectives: To determine differences in muscle volume in the cervical muscles of individuals with chronic idiopathic neck pain compared with age- and sex-matched asymptomatic individuals, and to determine if these muscle variables relate to spinal level, side (left or right), age, sex, body mass index (BMI) or muscle strength. Study design: Cross-sectional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study. Methods: Muscle volume of five muscle (groups) from cervical levels C3-T1 in 20 pain and 17 asymptomatic participants were quantified using MRI: levator scapulae, multifidus including semispinalis cervicis, semispinalis, splenius capitus including splenius cervicis, and sternocleidomastoid. Isometric extensor and flexor muscle strength were assessed with a dynamometer. Linear mixed modelling determined differences between groups in muscle volume accounting for participant characteristics. Results: Individuals with pain had greater muscle volume (adjusted mean difference 71.2 mm3 (95% CI 14.2–128.2, p = .015) of the sternocleidomastoid, accounting for spinal level, side, muscle group (extensors vs flexor), sex, age, body mass index and strength. Modelling indicated muscle volume differed between spinal levels (p < .001); greater extensor muscle strength was associated with greater volume (p = .011); female sex (p < .001) and older age (p = .012) were associated with less volume. Conclusion: Between-group differences in cervical flexor muscle volume, and volume differences across spinal levels and muscles suggest the contribution of cervical muscles to chronic idiopathic neck pain is multifaceted and complex.
AB - Background: Neck muscle compositional changes may represent potential biomarkers contributing towards chronic neck-related pain and disability. Objectives: To determine differences in muscle volume in the cervical muscles of individuals with chronic idiopathic neck pain compared with age- and sex-matched asymptomatic individuals, and to determine if these muscle variables relate to spinal level, side (left or right), age, sex, body mass index (BMI) or muscle strength. Study design: Cross-sectional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study. Methods: Muscle volume of five muscle (groups) from cervical levels C3-T1 in 20 pain and 17 asymptomatic participants were quantified using MRI: levator scapulae, multifidus including semispinalis cervicis, semispinalis, splenius capitus including splenius cervicis, and sternocleidomastoid. Isometric extensor and flexor muscle strength were assessed with a dynamometer. Linear mixed modelling determined differences between groups in muscle volume accounting for participant characteristics. Results: Individuals with pain had greater muscle volume (adjusted mean difference 71.2 mm3 (95% CI 14.2–128.2, p = .015) of the sternocleidomastoid, accounting for spinal level, side, muscle group (extensors vs flexor), sex, age, body mass index and strength. Modelling indicated muscle volume differed between spinal levels (p < .001); greater extensor muscle strength was associated with greater volume (p = .011); female sex (p < .001) and older age (p = .012) were associated with less volume. Conclusion: Between-group differences in cervical flexor muscle volume, and volume differences across spinal levels and muscles suggest the contribution of cervical muscles to chronic idiopathic neck pain is multifaceted and complex.
KW - Muscle strength
KW - Muscular atrophy
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85071084388&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.msksp.2019.102050
DO - 10.1016/j.msksp.2019.102050
M3 - Article
C2 - 31451399
AN - SCOPUS:85071084388
SN - 2468-8630
VL - 44
JO - Musculoskeletal Science and Practice
JF - Musculoskeletal Science and Practice
M1 - 102050
ER -