Motor Imagery Ability and Cervical Discogenic Pain
NCT Number: NCT06502236
Status: COMPLETED
Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
Conditions: Motor Imagery|Neck Pain|Disc Herniation|Functional Status
Sponsor: Hacettepe University
Sex: ALL
Age: ADULT, OLDER_ADULT
Enrollment: 60
Study Design: Observational Model: |Time Perspective: p
Start Date: 2024-01-02
Completion Date: 2024-05-28
Locations: Sarıkaya Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation High School, Yozgat, Sarıkaya, 66100, Turkey

Summary:
Background: The purpose of the study was to examine the motor imagery ability and its association with pain, functional status, neck awareness and depression levels in individuals with cervical discogenic pain (CDP).

Methods: Sixty individuals aged between 18-65 were included in the study. Demographic data was recorded, pain and disability were evaluated using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Neck Disability Index (NDI), motor imagery ability using Kinesthetic and Visual Imagery Questionnaire-20 (KVIQ-20) and mental chronometry. Grip strength, cervical muscle endurance, upper limbs functionality, neck awareness and depression levels were assessed using hydraulic hand dynamometer, cervical muscle endurance tests, Upper Extremity Functional Index-15 (UEFI-15), Fremantle Neck Awareness Questionnaire (FreNAQ), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), respectively.

Primary Outcome Measures: Assessment of Pain Severity, The 10-cm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) developed by Price et al., and The Neck Disability Index (NDI) developed by Vernon et al. were used to evaluate the pain severity and the disability related to neck. On the 10-cm VAS, the first notch is marked 0, and the last notch is marked 10. Zero means no pain, whereas 10 means the most severe pain., February 2024|Assessment of Neck Disability, The Neck Disability Index (NDI) developed by Vernon et al. was used to evaluate the disability caused by chronic neck pain. Validated for reliability in Turkish by Aslan et al., the questionnaire is made up of 10 questions questioning the impact of neck pain on daily activities including personal care, concentration, working, driving and sleeping. Each question is rated between 0 and 5 with the maximum score being 50. 0 to 4 points means no disability, 5 to 14 points means mild disability, 14 to 24 points means moderate disability, 25 to 34 points means serious disability, 35 and above means complete disability, and 50 points means full disability ., February 2024|Assessment of Motor Imagery Ability, MI skills of the participants were evaluated with the Kinesthetic and Visual Imagery Questionnaire-20 (KVIQ-20) developed to determine the extent to which individuals can visualize and sense an imagined movement. Validated for reliability in Turkish by Dilek et al., the questionnaire included 20 movements measuring 10 visual and 10 kinesthetic imagery skills. To perform the assessment, first, the physiotherapist showed the required movement on their own body, and then asked the participant to repeat that movement physically once. Then the participants were asked to imagine the movement and rate the movement for how much it was felt based on its visual clarity. The overall score included the sum of separate scores of kinesthetic imagery skill and visual imagery skill and ranged between 20 and 100. Higher scores indicated higher clarity and intensity of sensation, February 2024
Secondary Outcome Measures: Assessment of Grip Strength, The grip strength of the individuals was evaluated by a hydraulic hand dynamometer (Baseline lite Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer, Fabrication Enterprises, NY, USA), and the result was noted in kilograms., February 2024|Assessment of Muscular Endurance-Flexor, The endurance of the neck flexors of the participants were evaluated in the supine hooked position with the head placed 6 cm high. After taking the height below the head, the maximum time maintaining this position was noted in seconds. The 5-degree change in a goniometer following the vertical angle of the mandible was determined as the criterion for terminating the test, February 2024|Assessment of Muscular Endurance-Extensor, The neck extensor muscle endurance of the participants was evaluated by attaching a 2-kg weight using a 10-cm velcro at the C6 level in a prone position with the hands placed to both sides. The maximum duration of holding head in this position was recorded in seconds., February 2024|Assessment of Muscular Endurance-Deep Flexor, Cervical deep flexor muscle endurance of the participants was evaluated in supine hooked position with the hands placed on the abdomen and the chin pulled in. The maximum time the participant could raise and hold their head about 2.5 cm high was noted., February 2024|Assessment of Neck Awareness, Neck awareness levels of the participants were evaluated by the Fremantle Neck Awareness Questionnaire (FreNAQ). Validated for reliability in Turkish by Onan et al., the questionnaire is made up of 9 questions measuring neck pain, attention and proprioceptive awareness. Each question is rated between 0 (Never/I never feel this way) and 4 (I always or usually feel this way). The overall score ranges between 0 to 36 with a higher score indicating poor neck awareness ., February 2024|Assessment of Upper Extremity Functionality, Upper extremity functionality of the participants was evaluated with the Upper Extremity Functional Index-15 (UEFI-15). Validated for reliability in Turkish by Aytar et al., the questionnaire includes 15 different activities that are frequently carried out in daily life. Individuals are asked to rate each activity by the level of difficulty performing it on a scoring system ranged from 0 (extremely difficult) to 4 (no difficulty). The overall score ranges between 0-100. Lower scores indicate poor upper extremity functionality, February 2024|Assessment of Depression Level, Depression levels of the participants were evaluated by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The participants were asked to answer 21 questions assessing depressive behaviors, rating them from 0 to 3. Validated for reliability in Turkish by Kapci et al., the questionnaire has an overall score range of 0 to 63 points. 0 to 12 points means minimal depression; 13 to 18 points, mild depression; 19 to 28 points, moderate depression; and 29 to 63 points, serious depression., February 2024