Analysis of the Relationship between Pain Pressure Threshold, Joint Position Sense, Static Balance and Gait in Patients with Moderate Neck Dysfunction Index (NDI)

The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation between pain pressure threshold, joint position sense, static balance and gait in patients with moderate neck dysfunction index (NDI). A total 27 subjects with chronic neck pain participated in this study. A NDI survey was conducted to select subjects with moderate ability (NDI score: 15～24). The pressure pain thresholds, joint position senses, static balance(sway length and foot pressure balance), and gait were measured, and the correlation between the NDI and each measuring element was analyzed. As a result, NDI had a positive correlations with joint position sense (r=0.708), sway length (r=0.506), and foot pressure on the front left foot (r=0.453). Among them, the correlation between NDI and sway length had a strong positive correlation. Whereas, NDI had not correlations with pressure pain thresholds, and gait factors. These results indicate that moderate neck dysfunction can decreased static balance ability and joint position sense of neck. Although there was no significant correlation between NDI and gait, further research is needed to apply task with gait or identify on the neck pain patients with severe ability.