Relationship between shoulder range of motion and neck pain and neck function among college students with mechanical neck pain

Abstract

CONTEXT: Mechanical neck pain is the leading cause of disability. The pain can be felt locally in the neck and also in the arms or shoulders. Several studies have found that there is a substantial link between neck pain and upper limb impairment. AIMS: The present study aims to find the correlation between neck pain and neck function and shoulder joint range of motion (ROM) among college students with mechanical neck pain. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted among 35 college students both male and female in a tertiary hospital, India. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: ROM, neck pain, and neck function were assessed using a universal goniometer, Visual Analog Scale, and Neck Disability Index, respectively. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Karl Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to analyze the correlation between shoulder ROM and neck pain and neck function. RESULTS: Correlation between shoulder ROM with neck pain and neck function showed a negative correlation, with r = −0.665, r = −0.537, r = −0.282, and r = −0.650, r = −0.639, r = −0.550 (P < 0.05) which is statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The present study concludes that there is a significant relation between shoulder ROM (abduction, internal rotation, and external rotation) with neck pain and neck function.