Examination of the relationship between chronic neck pain and respiratory function tests: Antalya/Gazipaşa example

Aim: This study aimed to examine and evaluate the relationship between impaired posture and respiratory function tests as a result of chronic neck pain in people living in Antalya Gazipaşa district. Methods: The study was conducted with 35 volunteer patients between the ages of 18-55 who had chronic neck pain and who applied to the Physioclinic Semiha Özkan Physiotherapy and Exercise Consultancy Center due to this complaint, and 35 healthy control groups who met the same criteria but did not experience pain. In the study, demographic information was obtained from the participants and pain was evaluated using VAS. A neck disability questionnaire was applied to determine the freedom of vital activity of the neck. Posture analysis was performed and the forward angle of the head was analyzed. To measure respiratory parameters, they were evaluated using a Contec SP80B spirometer. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 23 program. Results: According to the survey and tests, a significant decrease in normal joint movement was observed in people with pain compared to the control group (p <0.05). A significant decrease was observed in head forward posture angle compared to healthy individuals (p<0.05). Head forward posture angle has a strong negative correlation with pain severity (r=-0.653). A significant and positive relationship was found between neck disability questionnaire and pain severity as a result of the correlation evaluation (r = 0.01). According to the test results of people experiencing pain, there is a strong positive correlation between FVC and FEV₁/FVC and a significant relationship was observed (r=0.792) (p<0.05). In addition, no significance was detected between the PEF values and FVC and PEF values between the two groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: A significant decrease in the craniovertebral angle of the neck was detected in people experiencing chronic neck pain compared to the control group (p<0.05). According to these results, it was determined that neck pain and posture were related. Significance was detected as a result of the correlation of craniovertebral angle and respiratory parameters FVC, FEV₁ and FEV₁/FVC (p<0.05). In line with this result, it was determined that posture deteriorations negatively affected respiratory parameters. In clinical evaluations, applying these tests together to people experiencing chronic neck pain will bring accurate results and rapid treatment.