Inactive individuals with chronic neck pain have changes in range of motion and functional performance of the shoulder

Objective: To correlate the range of movement and functional performance of the shoulder with pain measures in inactive individuals with and without neck pain. In addition, comparisons were made between the groups.

Methods: The sample comprised two groups of inactive adults, aged 18-45 years: chronic neck pain (n = 30) and healthy subjects (n = 30). All participants had no clinical dysfunction in the shoulder joint. Aspects related to neck pain were evaluated with the Numerical Rating Scale, Neck Disability Index, and the Catastrophic Thoughts about Pain Scale. Range of motion and shoulder functionality was evaluated by means of goniometry and the Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability (CKCUES) test, respectively.

Results: Individuals with neck pain presented reduction in CKCUES test (absolute score, mean difference [MD] = -1.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] [-2.87, -0.12]) and in abduction (MD = -7.36°, 95% CI [-13.84, -0.89]) and lateral rotation (MD = -8.61°, CI [-15.94, -1.28]) range of motion. Moreover, weak, significant, and negative association (p < 0.05, r = -0.262 to -0.384) was observed between the CKCUES test and pain intensity at rest and during active cervical movements, as well as catastrophizing. A weak, significant, and negative association (p < 0.05, r = -0.256 to -0.389) was also observed between the lateral rotation range of motion and catastrophizing, as well as pain intensity both at rest and during active movements.

Conclusion: The greater the neck pain intensity and catastrophizing, the lower the functional performance and lateral rotation range of motion of the shoulder.