The relationship between neck awareness and joint position sense, head posture and muscle endurance in chronic neck pain

This study was planned to investigate the relationship between neck awareness and joint position sense, head posture, and muscle endurance in individuals with chronic neck pain. In addition, the relationship between neck awareness and body awareness and psychosocial factors was also investigated in our study. Thirty individuals aged 20-50 years, with resting neck pain of 3 points and above according to the Numerical Pain Scale, and with a of 5 points and above according to the Neck Disability Questionnaire, and diagnosed with nonspecific neck pain were included in the study. The demographic information of the individuals was recorded. Neck awareness Fremantle Neck Awareness Questionnaire, cervical joint sensation Cervical Joint Position Sense Error test, head posture Craniovertebral Angle measurement, cervical endurance timed endurance test, body awareness Body Awareness Questionnaire, cervical joint range of motion with goniometer, quality of life Nottingham Health Profile, emotional status Hospital Anxiety and Depression Questionnaire, fear of movement was assessed with Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale. It was determined that there were negative and moderate-weak correlations between neck awareness and cervical joint position sense in the direction of flexion and rotation (respectively r:-0,471, r:-0,518, r:-0,362, r:-0,409, r:-0,399; p<0,05). It was determined moderate correlations between neck awareness and neck disability level and quality of life, positive weak correlations between neck awareness and anxiety and fear of movement (r:0,632, r:0,411, r: 0,384, r:0,387;p<0,05). It was no statistically significant relationship between neck awareness and head posture, muscle endurance, pain intensity/duration, body awareness, range of motion, and depression levels (p>0,05). In our study, it was determined that changes in position sense, level of neck disability and some psychosocial factors were factors affecting neck awareness in individuals with chronic neck pain. It was considered necessary to evaluate neck awareness in individuals with chronic neck pain. Key words: Chronic neck pain, Neck awareness, Joint position sense, Posture, Muscle Endurance