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

Abstract

Objective: 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 nonspecific patients with chronic neck pain with normal posture conducted in the study. SD test was performed to investigate the presence of SD on both groups. Neck Disability Index (NDI) was used to assess neckrelated disability and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to assess neck pain. Results: In the FHP group, SD diagnosed (9.44%) nearly two times more of normal posture group (4.44%). Twenty five (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.