Association Between Forward Head Posture and Scapular Dyskinesis in Patients with Non-Specific Chronic Neck Pain

Abstract

The role of scapula on the shoulder problems is well-established and scapular dyskinesis (SD) has been evaluated especially in sports involving overhead activities. However no study have evaluated the connection between abnormal neck posture and scapula. The study aimed to found an association between 2 different postural abnormalities in which axioscapular muscles affected. Material and Methods: According to the craniovertebral angle, 90 non specific chronic neck patients with forward head posture (FHP) and 90 non specific patients with chronic neck pain with normal posture conducted in the study. SD test were performed to investigate the presence of SD on both groups. Neck Disability Index (NDI) used to assess neck-related disability and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) used to assess neck pain. Results: In the FHP group, SD diagnosed (9.44%) nearly two times more of normal posture group (4.44%). 25 (13.8%) patients were diagnosed with SD with chronic neck pain totally. While the medial margin type SD was most common in the FHP group, the inferior angle type SD was most common in the control group. This study found high risk for SD in FHP group compared to the normal group (odds ratio 1.23, 95% confidence interval, 0.87-1.61; p=0.003). The study found no significant difference between groups compared to NDI and VAS (p=0.102, p=0.285 respectively). Conclusion: There is a high prevalance of SD in chronic neck pain patients with FHP. SD should be evaluated in chronic neck pain, especially with abnormal posture.