The Effect of Nuchal Ligament Calcification on Cervical Function in Patients With Neck Pain

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Ossification of nuchal ligament often observed in patient with chronic neck pain, previous study showed ossification of nuchal ligament was associated with cervical spondylosis and radiculopathy. Patient with chronic neck pain was divided into two groups according to the presence of ossification of nuchal ligament on cervical radiographic images. This study is to evaluate and compare the neck function including range of motion, neck strength and pressure pain threshold, radiography characteristics and functional disability between two groups.

Official Title
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The Effect of Nuchal Ligament Calcification on Cervical Function in Patients With Neck Pain

Conditions
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Neck Pain

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: no intervention was used in this observational study


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Patient with neck pain and stiffness last for more than 1 month Exclusion Criteria: cervical trauma or fracture in 3 months evidence of cervical spine instability rheumatoid cervical spondylopathy previous cervical surgery head and neck cancer previous radiotherapy over neck and surrounding those complicated with myelopathy contraindication to radiography like pregnant woman

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 20 Years
Maximum Age: 80 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| ossification of nuchal ligament<br>check neck function, radiography characteristics and complete functional disability questionnaire | Other: no intervention was used in this observational study<br> <br> |
| Non ossification of nuchal ligament<br>check neck function, radiography characteristics and complete functional disability questionnaire | Other: no intervention was used in this observational study<br> <br> |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Degrees of cervical range of motion | active range of motion in flexion, extension,lateral bending and rotation direction with Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) instrument | 1 day ( first visit) | 
| Angles of cervical lordotic curve at C2-C7 on cervical x-ray | measured by both modified Cobb method and Harrison posterior tangent method at C2-C7 in every participants | within one week after first visit | 
| Scores of functional disability as a measure of effects of neck pain on daily living | neck disability index (NDI) with 10-item scaled questionnaire | 1 day ( first visit) | 
| The values of neck flexor, extensor, lateral bending and rotation strength | measured with a handheld dynamometer | 1 day ( first visit) | 
| The values of pressure pain threshold as a measure of participants' pain sensitivity | Pressure gauge algometer was applied to bilateral upper trapezius | 1 day ( first visit) | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Ossification of nuchal ligament