Abstract
The development of methods of non-invasive measurement of neck muscle function remains a priority in the clinical sciences. In this study, dorsal neck muscle deformation vs time curves (deformation area) were evaluated against incremental force, recorded from non-invasive real-time ultrasound measurement. The results revealed subject-specific moderate to strong linear or non-linear relationships between deformation and force. Test-retest variability showed strong reliability for all five neck muscles summed together and fair to good reliability for the five muscles evaluated separately. Multivariate statistics were used to analyse the interactions between the dorsal neck muscles during different percentages of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Low force (10–20% MVC) was related to muscle shortening; higher force (40–80% MVC) showed combination of shortening and elongation deformation in the muscle interactions. The muscle interactions during isometric MVC test were subject-specific, with different combinations and deformations of the five neck muscles. Force ≥40% MVC were associated with a forward movement of the cervical spine that affected the ultrasound measurement of the dorsal neck muscles. Ultrasound with speckle-tracking analyses may be best used to detect low levels (<40% MVC) of neck muscle activity.
Highlights
The neck muscle function is complex[1], dysfunction of superficial and deep muscle layers are related to persistent neck pain[2,3,4,5]
We propose that cervical muscle deformation versus time curves would provide a more accurate method for evaluating ultrasound speckle tracking images that would be more strongly related to changes in force
The study findings support our hypothesis that cervical muscle deformation versus time curves is a better method for evaluating ultrasound speckle tracking analysis than calculating the average RMS17
Summary
The neck muscle function is complex[1], dysfunction of superficial and deep muscle layers are related to persistent neck pain[2,3,4,5]. Lopata et al.[11] showed that a strain estimation method facilitated the detection of tissue motion by calculation deformation curves as a function of time They measured local deformations in two directions simultaneously in the biceps brachii muscle in response to force, during both electrical stimulation and voluntary contraction. A previous study conducted by our team showed that muscle deformation during isometric contractions of the cervical extensor muscles performed over a range of intensities were significantly related to torque, the relationship was weak (r2 = 0.03–0.18)[17] This previous study utilized the average root mean square (RMS) values of deformation curves. We propose that cervical muscle deformation versus time curves would provide a more accurate method for evaluating ultrasound speckle tracking images that would be more strongly related to changes in force. A second aim was to investigate test-rest reliability among three tests
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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.
