Discover the intriguing link between chronic neck pain and diaphragmatic muscle function in women, as revealed by cutting-edge ultrasonographic research.
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Differences of diaphragmatic muscle contraction between female patients with chronic neck pain and asymptomatic controls: A case-control study based on ultrasonography.
Colak et al., Musculoskelet Sci Pract 2023
DOI: 10.1016/j.msksp.2023.102894
Study Highlights:
- New Information: This study is the first to investigate diaphragmatic function in women with chronic neck pain (CNP) compared to asymptomatic individuals.
- Importance: The findings suggest that CNP is associated with reduced diaphragmatic function, which could have implications for rehabilitation strategies.
- Contribution to Literature: The study adds to the understanding of respiratory muscle strength and mechanics in CNP patients, highlighting the potential role of the diaphragm in this condition.
Results Summary:
The study involved 25 women with CNP and 23 asymptomatic controls. It was found that the CNP group had significantly reduced maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP, p = 0.001, d = 1.11), diaphragmatic muscle thickness change (ΔT, p = 0.033, d = 0.63), and contraction ratio (CR, p = 0.012, d = 0.75). No significant differences were observed in maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), muscle thickness in deep inspiration (Tins), and at the end of calm expiration (Texp). Neck pain intensity showed a moderate correlation with MIP, Tins, and ΔT, while neck disability index (NDI) correlated moderately with Tins.
Implications for Practice:
The study suggests that assessing and addressing diaphragmatic function could be beneficial in the rehabilitation of women with CNP. However, further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of breathing exercises in this context.