Correlation of psychosocial factors with pain, posture, function, and disability in chronic mechanical neck pain patients: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundChronic neck pain is a common musculoskeletal condition that has an impact on the function and quality of life of an individual. Psychosocial factors along with the physical factors may have an impact on the perception of pain. Hence, the study aimed to find the correlation of psychosocial factors with pain, posture, function, and disability in chronic mechanical neck pain patients.MethodA cross-sectional study using a convenient sampling method was conducted in 55 chronic mechanical neck pain patients. The pain was assessed using numerical pain rating scale (NPRS), pain pressure threshold (PPT) using a pressure algometer, kinesiophobia using Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK), pain catastrophizing using Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Posture analysis was done by various postural angle and flexicurve, cervical muscle endurance was tested using the craniocervical flexion test, cervical proprioception was measured using head repositioning accuracy test and Neck disability index was used to score disability.ResultA significant positive correlation was found between TSK and NDI (r = 0.34, p = 0.01). There is a negative correlation of PTT (right sternocleidomastoid) with Kinesiophobia (r = − 0.35, p = 0.008). There is a moderate positive correlation between posture (shoulder angle on the left side) and TSK (r = 0.3, p = 0.02).ConclusionThe study concludes that psychosocial factors not only have a significant role but are correlated to pain, posture, function, and disability in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain.