Impairments in cervical kinematics are common in patients with neck pain. A virtual reality (VR) device has potential to be effective in the management of these impairments. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of kinematic training (KT) with and without the use of an interactive VR device. In this assessorblinded, allocation-concealed pilot clinical trial, 32 participants with chronic neck pain were randomised into the KT or kinematic plus VR training (KTVR) group. Both groups completed four to six training sessions comprising of similar KT activities such as active and quick head movements and fine head movement control and stability over five weeks. Only the KTVR group used the VR device. The primary outcome measures were neck disability index (NDI), cervical range of motion (ROM), head movement velocity and accuracy. Kinematic measures were collected using the VR system that was also used for training. Secondary measures included pain intensity, TAMPA scale of kinesiophobia, static and dynamic balance, global perceived effect and participant satisfaction. The results demonstrated significant (p<0.05) improvements in NDI, ROM (rotation), velocity, and the step test in both groups post-intervention. At 3-month post-intervention, these improvements were mostly sustained; however there was no control group, which limits the interpretation of this. Between-group analysis showed a few specific differences including global perceived change that was greater in the KTVR group.This pilot study has provided directions and justification for future research exploring training using kinematic training and VR for those with neck pain in a larger cohort. The results demonstrated significant improvements in NDI, ROM, velocity, and the step test in both groups, with a few specific between-group differences including global perceived change that was greater in the VR group. This pilot study has provided directions and justification for future research exploring training using kinematic training and VR for those with neck pain.
Acromion marker cluster (AMC) methods have been shown to accurately track scapula motion during humeral elevation below 90°, however, their accuracy has not been assessed in shoulder girdle motion such as clavicle protraction, retraction, elevation, and depression independent of humeral movement. The aim of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of the AMC method to record scapula orientation at end range clavicle protraction, retraction, elevation, and depression. The right scapulae of 22 female and 20 male asymptomatic volunteers were assessed with an AMC and scapula locator (SL) method during end range clavicle protraction, retraction, elevation, and depression (without humeral elevation) using an 8-camera 3D movement registration system. Measurements recorded from the AMC and SL measures showed fair to excellent agreement (ICC 0.4-0.92). While the AMC method overestimated and underestimated scapular motion in some planes compared to the SL, root mean square error between methods were low for scapular internal/external rotation (2.3-3.7°), upward/downward rotation (4.5-6.6°), and anterior/posterior tilt (3.2-5.1°), across all conditions. The AMC method was shown to be a reliable and valid measurement of scapula orientation at end range clavicle movements independent of humeral movement.
Neck pain is a common and recurrent condition affecting between 30 to 50% of adults in any given year. People experiencing neck pain commonly report difficulties in performing activities involving the upper extremity. Furthermore, clinical trials that have included exercises that target the shoulder girdle have shown beneficial effects in reducing neck pain. These observations are feasible based on the biomechanical dependence of the cervical spine and shoulder girdle, which includes common muscle attachments. However, to date there has been a paucity of studies investigating underlying movement disorders of the shoulder girdle in people with neck pain. This is in part due to the challenges of kinematic measurement in this region. The aim of this thesis is to contribute to the literature concerning the role of the shoulder girdle and thorax complex in neck pain from three perspectives. First, the thesis has further refined and informed measurement methods of shoulder girdle and thoracic kinematics (Studies 1-3). Secondly, the thesis further defined normative kinematics of the region with a focus on upright resting posture (Study 4). Thirdly, the thesis explored differences in shoulder girdle and thoracic resting posture in upright standing in those with and without neck pain (Study 5).Advancement in knowledge concerning normal and impaired function of the shoulder girdle has been hindered by challenges related to 3D motion capture of the shoulder girdle and thorax due to skin movement and the complexity of measuring multiple joints and axes of rotation. Therefore, Study1 focused on refining and validating an acromion marker cluster (AMC) method to track scapular movement with the intent of minimising skin movement error. Although the findings of Study 1 indicated that the refined AMC design did not appear to lessen skin movement error compared to previous designs, it was found to be of comparable accuracy (max RMSE 4.45°) and reliability to previous designs (within-session test-retest ICC 0.79-0.99) and appropriate for use in the subsequent thesis studies. In Study 2 the reliability and validity of the AMC method was further evaluated in its capacity to track the scapula at end range clavicular movements (protraction/retraction, elevation/depression). Establishing its measurement accuracy and reliability (max RMSE 6.6°) in these common directions of scapula motion was necessary as it had been previously unstudied. While Studies 1 and 2 focused on optimising the measurement of scapulothoracic kinematics by ensuring the scapula could be tracked accurately, Study 3 focused on refining the measurement of the relationship between the shoulder girdle and the underlying thorax. This study compared thoracic and shoulder girdle postural relationships expressed in the external reference frame to that expressed in the traditionally used ISB recommended thorax reference frame. Using these different frames of iii reference Study 3 also compared measures of thoracic inclination and thoracic curvature. The findings sho...
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