The Influence of Subclinical Neck Pain on Neurophysiological and Behavioral Measures of Multisensory Integration.

Antonia M Karellas,Heather S Mccracken,Bernadette A Murphy,Paul Yielder,James J Burkitt

doi:10.3390/brainsci9120362

Antonia M Karellas, Heather S Mccracken + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci9120362

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Abstract

Multisensory integration (MSI) is necessary for the efficient execution of many everyday tasks. Alterations in sensorimotor integration (SMI) have been observed in individuals with subclinical neck pain (SCNP). Altered audiovisual MSI has previously been demonstrated in this population using performance measures, such as reaction time. However, neurophysiological techniques have not been combined with performance measures in the SCNP population to determine differences in neural processing that may contribute to these behavioral characteristics. Electroencephalography (EEG) event-related potentials (ERPs) have been successfully used in recent MSI studies to show differences in neural processing between different clinical populations. This study combined behavioral and ERP measures to characterize MSI differences between healthy and SCNP groups. EEG was recorded as 24 participants performed 8 blocks of a simple reaction time (RT) MSI task, with each block consisting of 34 auditory (A), visual (V), and audiovisual (AV) trials. Participants responded to the stimuli by pressing a response key. Both groups responded fastest to the AV condition. The healthy group demonstrated significantly faster RTs for the AV and V conditions. There were significant group differences in neural activity from 100–140 ms post-stimulus onset, with the control group demonstrating greater MSI. Differences in brain activity and RT between individuals with SCNP and a control group indicate neurophysiological alterations in how individuals with SCNP process audiovisual stimuli. This suggests that SCNP alters MSI. This study presents novel EEG findings that demonstrate MSI differences in a group of individuals with SCNP.

Highlights

IntroductionThroughout the day, several hours are spent on desktops, laptops, and phones
The current study investigates differences in multisensory integration (MSI) that may exist between individuals with subclinical neck pain (SCNP) and individuals with no recent history of neck pain
Informed consent was obtained from every participant and the study was approved by the ethics committee (REB #14686) at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, and has been performed following the ethical standards outlined by the Declaration of Helsinki

Summary

Introduction

Throughout the day, several hours are spent on desktops, laptops, and phones. This promotes sustaining awkward uncomfortable postures throughout the day [1,2]. Professionals, such as office workers, who maintain these static postures are susceptible to experiencing symptoms of neck pain [1,2]. Recurrent, untreated neck pain of mild to moderate severity is termed subclinical neck pain (SCNP) [4]. Given that SCNP is common, it is surprising that little is known about the long-term consequences of altered neck sensory input on brain processing. SCNP’s impact on musculoskeletal and neurophysiological systems is an emerging topic of great interest that has provoked researchers to investigate the implications of SCNP on the

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