Abstract
Spinal postural variability (SPV) is a prerequisite to prevent musculoskeletal complaints during functional tasks. Our objective was to evaluate SPV in cervicogenic headache (CeH) since CeH is characterized by such complaints. A non-randomized repeated-measure design was applied to compare SPV between 18 participants with reporting CeH aged 29–51 years, and 18 matched controls aged 26–52 years during a 30-min-laptop-task. Habitual spinal postures (degrees) of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine were analysed using 3D-Vicon motion analysis. SPV, to express variation in mean habitual spinal posture, was deducted from the postural analysis. Mean SPV of each spinal segment was lower in the CeH-group compared to the control-group. Within the CeH-group, SPV of all except one spinal segment (lower-lumbar) was higher compared to the group’s mean SPV. Within the control-group, SPV was more comparable to the group’s mean SPV. SPV differed between groups. Averaging data resulted in decreased SPV in the CeH-group compared to the control-group during the laptop-task. However, the higher within-group-SPV in the CeH-group compared to the group’s mean SPV accentuated more postural heterogeneity. It should be further determined if addressing individual SPV is a relevant intervention.
Highlights
Spinal postural variability (SPV) is a prerequisite to prevent musculoskeletal complaints during functional tasks
Demographics and group characteristics were comparable between groups, excluding headache characteristics (Table 2)
Does spinal postural variability differ between patients with episodic cervicogenic headache (CeH) and controls (Table 3, Fig. 2, Appendix d)? Habitual spinal posture
Summary
Spinal postural variability (SPV) is a prerequisite to prevent musculoskeletal complaints during functional tasks. Within the CeH-group, SPV of all except one spinal segment (lower-lumbar) was higher compared to the group’s mean SPV. The higher within-group-SPV in the CeH-group compared to the group’s mean SPV accentuated more postural heterogeneity. I.e. selection of motor behaviour which fits best the situation based on afferent information produced by behaviour and experience, is important to adapt motor behaviour to the task[1, 3, 5] Such adaptive variability is hypothesized to fulfil a beneficial role in preventing development of overuse injuries and pain[2]. Low motor variability or stereotypical motor behaviour is related to overuse of tissue, which can progress towards peripheral maladaptation such as reduced capillary-to-fibre ratio and mitochondrial d isturbance[6] These processes can facilitate development of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and pain[2, 6]. According to the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (2019), MSDs and exposure to their risk factors (e.g. sedentary behaviour, screen time, psychosocial risk factors) are still increasing[8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
