Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to investigate differences in neck muscle stiffness between patients with chronic neck pain and asymptomatic control group.

Methods: Thirty-five patients with chronic neck pain and 35 age-matched asymptomatic participants enrolled in the study. Shear wave velocity (SWV) of upper trapezius, levator scapulae, splenius capitis, and sternocleidomastoid muscles were obtained using an ACUSON S3000 Ultrasonography Device (Siemens Medical Solutions, Mountain View, California). In patients with chronic neck pain, pain intensity was measured by Numerical Rating Scale and disability level was measured by Neck Disability Index.

Results: The SWV of splenius capitis was similar in both groups (P = .985); however, SWV of upper trapezius (P = .001), levator scapulae (P = .038), and sternocleidomastoid (P = .001) of the patients with chronic neck pain were higher compared with the asymptomatic controls groups. Numerical Rating Scale and Neck Disability Index scores did not correlate with the SWV of the selected muscles (P > .05).

Conclusions: Stiffness of upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and sternocleidomastoid muscles in patients with neck pain were higher compared to asymptomatic participants. In addition, severity of pain and disability did not correlate to stiffness of these muscles in patient with chronic neck pain.

Author keywords: Elasticity Imaging Techniques, Pain, Spine

Author affiliations: FK: Departments of Sports Medicine, School of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey; ZE: Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey

This abstract is reproduced with the permission of the publisher; full text is available by subscription. Click on the above link and select a publisher from PubMed's LinkOut feature.