Lim J, Lee D, Kim S, Lee S, Ryu JS. Analysis of abnormal muscle activities in patients with loss of cervical lordosis: a cross-sectional study.
BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2023;
24:666. [PMID:
37608321 PMCID:
PMC10464463 DOI:
10.1186/s12891-023-06782-3]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
This study aimed to detect the differences in cervical muscle activation patterns in people with versus without cervical lordosis and explore the possible mechanism of cervical pain originating therein.
METHODS
This cross-sectional design included 39 participants without and 18 with normal cervical lordosis. Muscular activation was measured for 5 s in both groups using surface electromyography. Subsequently, the root mean square (RMS) of muscle amplitude was obtained at the bilateral splenius capitis, upper and lower parts of the splenius cervicis, upper and lower parts of the semispinalis cervicis, sternocleidomastoid, upper trapezius, and rhomboid muscles in five cervical positions: 0° (resting), 30° of flexion, 30° of extension, 60° of extension, and upon a 1-kg load on the head in a resting posture.
RESULTS
The RMS values of the upper trapezius muscle at all postures and the rhomboid muscles at 60° of extension were significantly lower in the loss of lordosis than control group. Comparing the RMS ratio of each posture to the resting position, the ratio of the upper trapezius at flexion was significantly higher and that of the rhomboids at 60° of extension and upon loading was significantly lower in the loss of lordosis than control group. Moreover, the pattern changes in the RMS values according to posture showed a similar shape in these two muscles, and lower in the loss of lordosis than the normal group.
CONCLUSIONS
The loss of normal cervical alignment may correlate with predisposed conditions such as reduced muscle activation of the trapezius and rhomboid muscle, and may also provoke over-firing of the upper trapezius muscle, possibly increasing neck musculoskeletal pain.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
CLINICALTRIALS
gov, registration number: NCT03710785.
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