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Endurance and fatigue characteristics in the neck muscles during sub-maximal isometric test in patients with cervical radiculopathy

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of the study was to compare myoelectric manifestation in neck muscle endurance and fatigue characteristics during sub-maximal isometric endurance test in patients with cervical radiculopathy and asymptomatic subjects. An additional aim was to explore associations between primary neck muscle endurance, myoelectric fatigability, and self-rated levels of fatigue, pain and subjective health measurements in patients with cervical radiculopathy.

Methods

Muscle fatigue in the ventral and dorsal neck muscles was assessed in patients with cervical radiculopathy and in an asymptomatic group during an isometric neck muscle endurance test in prone and supine. 46 patients and 34 asymptomatic subjects participated. Surface electromyography signals were recorded from the sternocleidomastoid, cervical paraspinal muscles and upper and middle trapezius bilaterally during the endurance test. Subjective health measurements were assessed with questionnaires.

Results

The results showed altered neck muscle endurance in several of the muscles investigated with greater negative median frequency slope, greater variability, side imbalance, lower endurance time and higher experience of fatigue among the cervical radiculopathy patients compared with healthy subjects. Endurance times were significantly lower in both prone and in supine positions between the patients compared to asymptomatic subjects. During the neck muscle endurance test, fatigues in the upper trapezius muscles during the prone test and in the sternocleidomastoid muscles during the supine test were of more importance than self-perceived pain, fatigue, disability and kinesiophobia in predicting neck muscle endurance (NME).

Conclusion

NME testing in the primary neck muscles seems to be an important factor to take into consideration in rehabilitation.

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Acknowledgments

The study was financially supported by the Karolinska Institute Stockholm Sweden.

Conflict of interest

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Therapy, R1:07, Karolinska University Hospital, 17176, Stockholm, Sweden

    Marie Halvorsen, Allan Abbott & Åsa Dedering

  2. Division of Physiotherapy, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

    Marie Halvorsen, Allan Abbott & Åsa Dedering

  3. Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Science and Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia

    Allan Abbott

  4. Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden

    Anneli Peolsson

  5. Division of Physiotherapy, National Health and Medical Research Council Centre of Clinical Research Excellence, Spinal Pain, Injury and Health, School of Health and Rehabilitation Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

    Anneli Peolsson

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  1. Marie Halvorsen
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  2. Allan Abbott
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  4. Åsa Dedering
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Correspondence to Marie Halvorsen.

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Halvorsen, M., Abbott, A., Peolsson, A. et al. Endurance and fatigue characteristics in the neck muscles during sub-maximal isometric test in patients with cervical radiculopathy. Eur Spine J 23, 590–598 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-013-3060-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-013-3060-6

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