Chronic Neck Pain and Cognitive Function
NCT Number: NCT06504004
Status: COMPLETED
Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
Conditions: Neck Pain|Cognitive Symptom
Sponsor: Hacettepe University
Collaborators: Bozok University
Sex: ALL
Age: ADULT, OLDER_ADULT
Enrollment: 29
Study Design: Observational Model: |Time Perspective: p
Start Date: 2024-01-01
Completion Date: 2024-06-20
Locations: School of Sarıkaya Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Yozgat, Turkey

Summary:
Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between cognitive function and pain, functional limitations, and cervical muscle endurance in individuals with chronic neck pain (CNP).

Methods: The study included 29 individuals (28F, 1M) aged between 18 and 65 years, with non-specific neck pain lasting for at least 3 months, non-neurological symptoms, and no history of head, neck or upper extremity surgery in the last 6 months. Cognitive functions were assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) and Trail Making Test (TMT), pain level using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Bournemouth Neck Pain Questionnaire (BNPQ), functional limitations using the The Profile Fitness Mapping neck questionnaire (ProFitMap-neck) and muscle endurance using cervical flexor, extensor, and deep flexor muscle endurance tests.

Primary Outcome Measures: Pain-Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), The study evaluated the degree of neck pain experienced by individuals with chronic neck pain using two different methods: the 10 cm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) developed by Price et al. Price et al. 1983). Participants were asked to indicate their level of neck pain on a 10 cm horizontal line, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates unbearable pain, during rest, at night, and during activity, Jun 2024|Pain-Bournemouth Neck Pain Questionnaire (BNPQ), BNPQ evaluates individuals with neck pain based on pain intensity, participation in family and social life, depression, anxiety, kinesiophobia, coping skills with pain in the last week, and other relevant factors. The questionnaire consists of 7 questions, and individuals are asked to score each question on a scale of 0 to 10. The total score ranges from 0 to 70, with higher scores indicating more severe neck pain. Telci et al. conducted a study to assess the validity and reliability of the questionnaire in the Turkish population., Jun 2024|Assessment of Cognitive Status-Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), The MoCA, a tool for detecting mild cognitive impairment, was developed by Nasreddine et al (Nasreddine et al. 2005). Its Turkish validity and reliability were established by Selekler et al. The total score ranges from 0 to 30, with a score of 26 and above indicating normal cognitive status., Jun 2024|Assessment of Cognitive Status-Trail Making Test (TMT), TMT is a cognitive assessment tool that evaluates various cognitive functions, including visual-motor coordination, conceptual scanning, motor speed, planning, numerical knowledge, abstract thinking, tendency to react based on the physical characteristics of the stimulus, set switching, concentration, and movement. The questionnaire is divided into two parts, Part A and Part B. Part A assesses psychomotor speed and attention, while Part B assesses executive functions such as set switching, visual scanning speed, and visual alertness. Turkish validity and reliability of the questionnaire was performed by Türkeş et al. (Türkeş et al. 2015)., Jun 2024|Evaluation of Functional Status-Profit Neck Mapping Questionnaire (ProFitMap-Neck), The Profit Neck Mapping Questionnaire (ProFitMap-Neck) was implemented to assess the symptoms and functional limitations of individuals with chronic neck pain. The questionnaire consists of 26 items, including pain, tension, sensation, and balance, which are scored for frequency and severity of each symptom, resulting in two separate scores: symptom frequency score and symptom severity score. The functional limitation scale assesses the difficulty of performing activities such as lifting weights and wearing a t-shirt, resulting in a functional limitation score ranging from 0-100. An increase in the score indicates an improvement in functional status (Björklund et al. 2012)., Jun 2024|Evaluation of Functional Status-Stabilizer biofeedback, Stabilizer biofeedback was used to evaluate the endurance of the deep cervical flexor muscles. Patients in a supine position had the stabilizer placed on their cervical region and were instructed to slowly nod their head, simulating a 'yes' movement. The test ranged from 20 mmHg to 30 mmHg, with the pressure needing to be sustained for 10 seconds at every 2 mmHg increase without interruption. The activation score and performance index were determined by evaluating the patient's capacity to execute and sustain 10 repetitions over a 10-second interval at a particular pressure level., Jun 2024|Evaluation of Functional Status-Cervical Flexor Endurance Test, the endurance of the cervical flexor muscles was assessed using the cervical flexor muscle endurance test. According to this test, the maximum time that an individual could lift and hold their head at a height of approximately 2.5 cm in a supine hooked position with their hands on their abdomen and chin retracted was recorded (Domenech et al. 2011)., Jun 2024