Analysis of sensorimotor control in people with and without neck pain using inertial sensor technology: study protocol for a 1-year longitudinal prospective observational study

Abstract

IntroductionNeck pain is a very common musculoskeletal disorder associated with high socioeconomic costs derived from work absenteeism and medical expenses. Previous studies have suggested that patients with neck pain of different origins present sensorimotor control impairments compared with the asymptomatic population. However, there is a small number of published studies focusing on these with conflicting results. In addition, the existing methodological limitations highlight the need for more and better quality studies. Moreover, longitudinal studies are necessary to investigate whether changes in pain or disability in individuals with chronic neck pain over time associate with changes in cervical sensorimotor control.Methods and analysisThis is a descriptive, observational, longitudinal, prospective study consecutively enrolling 52 patients with non-specific neck pain and 52 age-matched asymptomatic participants.Intensity of pain, neck disability, duration of symptoms, topography of pain and comorbidities will be registered at baseline. Sensorimotor control variables including active range of motion, movement speed, acceleration, smoothness of motion, head repositioning accuracy and motion coupling patterns will be recorded as primary outcomes by means of inertial sensors during the following tests consecutively performed in two sessions separated by 12 months: (1) kinematics of planar movements, (2) kinematics of the craniocervical flexion movement, (3) kinematics during functional tasks and (4) kinematics of task-oriented neck movements in response to visual targets.Secondary outcomes will include: (1) Regular physical activity levels, (2) Kinesiophobia, (3) Symptoms related to central sensitisation and (4) The usability of the inertial measurement unit sensor technology.Ethics and disseminationThis study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of CEU San Pablo University (495/21/39). Patients will be recruited after providing written informed consent and they will be able to withdraw their consent at any time. Only the study investigators will have access to the study data. The results will be disseminated through scientific publications, conferences and media.Trial registration numberNCT05032911.

Kinematic analysis of sensorimotor control during the craniocervical flexion movement in patients with neck pain and asymptomatic individuals: a cross-sectional study

“…This was a descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study, including patients with non-traumatic neck pain and a control group of asymptomatic participants based on a previously described study protocol [ 31 ].…”

Assessments bei Nackenschmerzen mit Bewegungs-Koordinations-Defizit

“…Nackenschmerzen unterschiedlicher Ursache, z. B. nach einem Trauma, Degeneration oder bei langanhaltenden unspezifischen Beschwerden, werden mit Veränderungen des sensomotorischen Systems in Zusammenhang gebracht [3,4]. Dabei können Symptome wie Schwindel, Kopfschmerzen, Konzentrationsstörungen, Sehstörungen und Gleichgewichtsstörungen auftreten [2,5].…”

Systematic Review on Fabrication, Properties, and Applications of Advanced Materials in Wearable Photoplethysmography Sensors

“…Advanced materials could enhance the quality of PPG signals, [100] reduce the complexity of preprocessing, [101] and enable the measurement of multiple physiological parameters [83,[85][86][87] ) (Earlobe-Reproduced under terms of the CC-BY license. [83] Copyright 2018, The Authors, published by MDPI; Forearm-Reproduced under terms of the CC-BY license.…”

“…[85] Copyright 2020, The Authors, published by Frontiers; Forehead-Reproduced under terms of the CC-BY license. [87] Copyright 2022, The Authors, published by BMJ; Fingers-Reproduced with permission. [86] Copyright 2021, Elsevier).…”

“…Figure 14. Various measurement sites used by studied PPG devices (adapted from[83,[85][86][87] ) (Earlobe-Reproduced under terms of the CC-BY license [83]. Copyright 2018, The Authors, published by MDPI; Forearm-Reproduced under terms of the CC-BY license [85].…”