Relationship between pain, proprioception and kinesiophobia in acute and chronic non-specific neck pain participants

In this study, kinesiophobia, proprioception, pain, and quality of life were evaluated in patients with non-specific acute and chronic neck pain. 52 patients, 26 with acute (mean age: 35.08±10.877) and 26 with chronic (mean age: 35.58±10.238) non-specific neck pain, who applied to Yeditepe University Hospital in Istanbul participated in this study. Joint range of motion and joint position sense were measured using the Goniometer-Pro (G-Pro), an iPhone application. Endurance was measured with the deep flexor muscle endurance test. The Neck Disability Index (BDI), the Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale (TKS), the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire were used to determine the intensity of the pain, the fear of movement, the level of disability, and the level of physical activity (IPAQ). The study's data were statistically analyzed using the SPSS 20.0 program. Individuals with acute and chronic neck pain showed no significant difference in their sense of joint position or fear of movement. Deep neck flexor muscle endurance was found to be higher in those with chronic neck pain than in people with acute neck pain (p<0.05). The degree of neck disability in both groups, as well as the fear of movement, were found to be significantly correlated. In neither group was there a correlation between sense of joint position and fear of movement. In those with chronic neck pain, there was a significant correlation between the intensity (VAS rest and VAS night) and fear of movement (p<0.01), but not in people with acute neck pain. Joint position sense and pain intensity did not significantly correlate in either group. In conclusion, it was found that there was a significant relationship between fear of movement and intensity of pain and neck disability in people with chronic neck pain, despite the fact that there was no correlation between fear of movement and sense of joint position in individuals with acute and chronic neck pain. Studies on individuals who suffer from non-specific acute and chronic neck pain have been reported to be limited, and additional research is required in this area. Key words: Acute Neck Pain, Chronic Neck Pain, Proprioception, Kinesiophobia