Impact of neck proprioception and central sensitization on balance outcomes in patients with chronic neck pain

Abstract

Context: Currently, multiple researches demonstrate that proprioception of the neck has a favorable effect and a direct association with balance in individuals with chronic neck pain (CNP). However, there is a paucity of the literature that has attempted to quantify the impact of proprioception on balance in CNP patients and to determine the function of central nervous system sensitization (CS) in CNP patients. Aims: The goal of this study was to determine the variance component of proprioception on balance in CNP patients and to examine if there was a difference between centrally sensitized and nonsensitized CNP patients. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted in the outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: Thirty-seven patients with CNP were assessed for proprioception, static and dynamic balance was using head repositioning accuracy (HRA) test, Brief Balance Evaluation Systems Test, step test, four-step square test, and Y-balance test. Disability and nervous system sensitization was assessed using the Neck Pain and Disability Scale and central sensitization inventory (CSI). Statistical Analysis Used: Kolmogrov–Smirnov test, Pearson correlation coefficient was used for statistical analysis. Results: The impact of CSI and HRA scores on static and dynamic balance scores was unpredictable, ranging from a minimum of 10% to a maximum of 38.7%. Conclusion: There is a weak evidence to suggest that proprioception component could have contributed to the variance in static, dynamic balance and disability in patients with centrally sensitized CNP.