Evaluation of factors related to neck pain in prisoners

Neck pain may be related to many biological, psychological and environmental factors. Our study was conducted to comprehensively examine the factors associated with neck pain in prisoners and to reveal the biopsychosocial basis of pain in this population. 75 volunteer prisoners (40.11±11.17 years old) who were admitted to the hospital with neck pain were included in this study. Neck pain was assessed with visual analog scale, neck range of motion with universal goniometer, cervical muscle strength with manual muscle testing, deep neck flexor muscle endurance with stabilizing pressure biofeedback unit, posture with New York Posture Analysis Scale, neck disability assessment with Neck Disability Questionnaire, sleep with Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index, physical activity level with International Physical Activity Short Form, depression with Beck Depression Inventory and hopelessness with Beck Hopelessness Scale. According to the results of our study, a weak, negative and significant relationship was found between neck pain and cervical flexion range of motion in prisoners (p= 0.013). No significant relationship was observed for extension, right and left rotation and right and left lateral flexion normal joint movements. A significant and moderate negative relationship was found between both cervical flexor muscle strength and cervical extensor muscle strength and pain (p < 0.001). A weak, positive and significant relationship was found between the duration of previous imprisonment of the individuals and pain score (p < 0.001). A high, significant and negative relationship was found between pain and deep neck flexor muscle endurance (p < 0.001), and a moderate, significant and negative relationship was found between pain and posture (p < 0.001). A moderate, significant and positive relationship was found between disability and sleep quality and pain (p < 0.001). There was no significant relationship between the other factors evaluated and neck pain. According to the results of the multiple regression analysis, endurance, posture disability and sleep quality were found to be determining factors on neck pain. In line with these findings, it is thought that posture training, endurance exercises for the cervical region and deep neck flexor muscles, and sleep arrangements may have a positive effect on preventing or reducing neck pain, especially for prisoners with long prison terms.