Neck mobility and functioning of patients with chronic neck pain at a selected rehabilitation Centre in Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Chronic neck pain is a prevalent musculoskeletal condition that impairs cervical mobility and daily functioning, often accompanied by significant pain and disability. Objective: To find out neck mobility, pain intensity, and functional limitation and how these variables are associated with each other in patients with chronic neck pain at a selected rehabilitation centre in Bangladesh. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 55 patients with chronic neck pain at the Musculoskeletal Outpatient Unit of the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP), Savar. Data were collected using a semi structured questionnaire, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and the Neck Disability Index (NDI) Scale. Cervical ROM was measured using a goniometer. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and inferential statistical, the inferential statistical has been calculated by chi-square and Pearson correlation tests. Result: Among 55 participants who had chronic neck pain, their overall age Mean ± SD was 40.75 (±11.95) years. Most showed reduced ROMcompared to normative values. 70.9 % of the participants experienced neck pain 4-6 score in VAS scale and 29.1 % of the participants experienced neck pain 7-10 score in VAS scale. Moderate to severe disability was prevalent, with 50.9% experiencing moderate and 40% experiencing severe disability. Age category was significantly associated with all directions of cervical ROM, pain severity (p=.028), and level of disability (p=.043), while gender showed a significant association only with pain severity. Significant weak to moderate negative correlations were found between range of motion (particularly flexion, extension, right lateral flexion) with both pain intensity and disability. However, pain intensity and disability were not significantly correlated (r = 0.152, p = 0.268). Conclusion: The findings suggest a significant relationship between cervical range of motion and pain intensity, as well as between range of motion and functional limitations in patients with chronic neck pain. However, pain intensity alone may not predict functional disability. Keywords: Neck mobility, functional ability, chronic neck pain, Bangladesh.