Investigation of the relationship of neck pain with cervical proprioception, upper extremity functionality and balance in individuals with multiple sclerosis

This study was conducted to evaluate and compare the cervical proprioception, upper extremity functionality, balance and quality of life of individuals diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) with and without neck pain. The universe of the study consisted of patients diagnosed with MS who applied to the hospital's Neurology Polyclinic. The study included 25 MS patients with neck pain and 25 MS patients without neck pain. Demographic and clinical information were recorded on the Personal Information and Clinical Evaluation Form according to the answers given by the patients. The individuals with MS who participated in our study pain status was evaluated with the McGill Melzack Pain Questionnaire and the cervical region joint position sense was measured with the Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) device in the directions of flexion, extension, right/left lateral flexion and right/left rotation. Upper extremity functionality was evaluated with the Short Form of the Questionnaire for Arm, Shoulder and Hand Problems (Quick-DASH), balance status was evaluated with the Functional Reach Test (FUT) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS), quality of life was evaluated with the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Scale (MSQOL-54). IBM SPSS Statistics 22 package program was used for statistical analysis of the data. As a result of the analyses, the demographic characteristics of MS individuals with neck pain and MS individuals without neck pain were similar (p>0.05). Loss of proprioception in the extension direction was found to be significantly higher in the group with neck pain (p<0.05). It was observed that the McGill Melzack Pain Questionnaire score of the neck pain group was significantly higher than the control group (p<0.05). According to the Functional Reach Test score and Berg Balance Scale score, static and dynamic balance were found to be significantly worse in MS patients with neck pain than in the control group without neck pain (p<0.05). According to the Quick DASH and MSQOL-54 questionnaire scores, it was observed that the two groups were similar in terms of upper extremity functionality level and quality of life level (p>0.05). As a result; it was determined that MS individuals with neck pain had worse cervical region extensor proprioception sense and balance status compared to the control group. It is known that pain, proprioception and balance can affect each other. Therefore, evaluating these parameters in the rehabilitation program and organizing the program accordingly will increase the success of the program. Keywords: Multiple sclerosis; Neck pain; Cervical proprioception; Upper extremity; Functionality; Balance.