Table 3
Description of studies measuring active range of neck motion
| First author, year, design | Study population | Testing circumstances | Device | Comparison of range of motion | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type of neck pain, pain duration, pain intensity, sex (♂,♀), mean age (SD), mean BMI (SD), recruitment, occupation | Controls’ sex (♂,♀), mean age (SD), mean BMI (SD), recruitment, occupation | Examiners professional background, training, blinding | Instructions standardised, type of test, training, repeated, restrictions applied* | Type, sample rate (Hz), measurement error, LOA, ICC, SEM | Neck pain group I, type, degrees (SD) | Neck pain group II, type, degrees (SD) | Healthy controls, type, degrees (SD) | |
| Armstrong 2005, case control | WAD II and III, 28.5 (19.5) months, NPRS 4.7 (1.6), 8♂, 15♀, 41.2 (11.9), 24.7 (4.7), local newspaper, NR | 10♂, 13♀, 33.9 (12.1), 23.4 (3.2), local newspaper, NR | NR, NR, NR | Yes, AROM and JPE, NR, NR, sitting, back support, no, to pain limit, NR, blindfolded | 3-Space Fastrak, 40 Hz, 0,2, NR, > 0,96, NR | WAD. F: 34.6 (8.8), E: 48.2 (13.4), LR: 61.0 (9.0), RR: 60.5 (9.3), LLF: 33.9 (7.5), RLF: 33.2 (7.0) | HC. F: 37.5 (7.5), E: 60.1(9.7), LR: 69.1 (8.8), RR: 67.4 (8.2), LLF: 37.2 (7.5), RLF: 37.3 (6.8) | |
| Baydal 2011, case control | WAD II and III, > 6 month, < 12 months, NR (NR), 15♂, 15♀, (NR), NR (NR), rehabilitation unit, NR. Simulators, NR (NR), non-symptomatic (NR), 15♂, 14♀, NR (NR), NR (NR), IBV database, NR | 15♂, 15♀, NR (NR), NR (NR), NR, NR | NR, NR, NR | Yes, repetitive flexion–extension, yes, no, sitting, back support, fixed to the back support, NR, self-selected, no | Video-photogrammetry system, NR, NR, NR, NR, NR | WAD. F/E: 90 (22) | WAD simulators. F/E:55 (24)b | HC. F/E: 119 (17)ac |
| Cagnie 2007, case control | INP, > 6 months, NR (NR), 0♂, 14♀, 28.3 (5.4), NR (NR), local advertisement, NR. WAD II, > 6 months (NR), NR (NR), 0♂, 16♀, 27.2 (4.8), NR (NR), local advertisement, NR | 48♂, 48♀, NR (NR), NR (NR), NR, NR | NR, NR, NR | NR, AROM, yes, yes, sitting with no back support, no, end range, self-selected, no | Zebris CMS 70P US-based motion analysis system, NR, NR, NR, 0.8 < intra < 0.87, 0.92 < inter < 0.94, 5.47 < intra < 7.88, 4.25 < inter < 5.78 | WAD. F/E: ≈ 113 (≈ 24), R: ≈ 137 (≈ 24), LF: ≈ 81 (≈ 16) | INP. F/E: ≈ 145c (≈ 32), R: ≈ 153 (≈ 20), LF: ≈ 97c (≈ 16) | HC. F/E: ≈ 153a (≈ 16), R: ≈ 198ab (≈ 16), LF: ≈ 97 (≈ 16) |
| Cheng 2009, case control | CNP, 4.4 (2.2) years, NPRS 3.7 (0.8), 6♂, 6♀, 25.4 (2.1), NR (NR), NR, graduated students, teachers, or clinicians | 7♂, 5♀, 24.9 (1.8), NR (NR), NR, graduated students | NR, NR, NR | NR, neck flexion/extension, yes, NR, sitting, back support, yes, not end range, self-selected, no | Electrogoniometer (CXTLA02, Crossbow, Inc., San Jose, CA, USA), NR, 0.1°, NR, NR, NR | CNP. F: 43.5 (6.5), E: 42.8 (6.5) | HC. F: 44.2 (7.5), E: 47.0 (5.4) | |
| De Pauw 2018, case control | INP, 86.97 (84.88) months, NPRS 2 (2.08), 0♂38♀, 38.00 (1.41), 22.75 (7.77), internet, flyers and posters, NR. WAD, 86.62 (86.66), NPRS 5 (2.70), 0♂35♀, 47.00 (1.11), 22.30 (3.64), internet, flyers and posters, NR | 0♂ 30♀, 30.45 (1.15), 21.83 (3.81), internet, flyers, and posters, NR | NR, NR, NR | NR, AROM, NR, yes, sitting, unclear, NR, NR, NR | Acumar digital inclinometer, model ACU360; Lafayette Instrument Co, Lafayette, IN, USA, NR, 1°, NR, NR, NR | INP, F: 55.09 (10.02), E: 64.15 (14.78), LLF: 36.76 (7.62), RLF: 35.23 (7.62) | WAD, F: 44.64 (17.39), E: 51.50 (20.73)c, LLF: 33.06 (12.59), RLF: 31.94 (12.50)c | HC, F: 62.96 (8.73)ab, E: 73.89 (13.62)b, LLF: 41.52 (7.21)b, RLF: 40.68 (6.75)ab |
| Feipel 2006, case control | WAD, 31 (32) months, NR (NR), 11♂, 18♀, 37 (14), NR (NR), NR, NR | 12♂, 14♀, 35 (11), NR (NR), NR, NR | NR, NR, NR | Yes, ROM (F/E and R) HRE, yes, yes, sitting back support, no, end range, self-selected, yes and no | 3D electrogoniometer (CA 6000 Spine Motion Analyzer, O.S.I., Union City, CA),100 Hz, NR, NR, NR, NR | WAD. F: 54 (11), E: 47 (14) | HC. F: 64a (9), E: 56 (13) | |
| Grip 2007, case control | CNP, > 3 months, VAS 49.2(20.8) mm, 7♂, 14♀, 49 (16), NR (NR), rehabilitation clinics and medical centres, NR. WAD I and II, > 3 months, VAS 66.1 (18.8) mm, 5♂, 17♀, 49 (15), NR (NR), rehabilitation clinics and medical centres, NR | 8♂, 16♀, 50 (18), NR (NR), advertisement, NR | Research assistant, NR, NR | Yes, AROM, JPE, yes, yes, sitting, NR, no, end range self-selected, eyes closed | Myrin device and ProReflex system (Qualisys Medical AB®, Gothenburg, Sweden), 120, 0.8 (1.73), NR, NR, NR | CNP. F: 52.0 (17.2), E: 43.6 (18.4), LR: 55.1 (14), RR: 54.6 (14.8) | WAD. F: 38.0 (18.4)c, E: 30.0 (19.4)c, LR: 43.1 (15.3) c, RR: 44.1 (12.7) | HC. F: 61.4 (12.9)b, E: 59.3 (13.8)ab, LR: 66.8 (9.2)ab, RR: 67.8 (9.1) |
| Grip 2008, case control | CNP, > 3 months, VAS 49.2 (NR) mm, 7♂, 14♀, 49 (16), NR (NR), rehabilitation clinics and medical centres, NR. WAD I and II, > 3 months, 66.1 (18.8) mm, 5♂, 17♀, 49 (15), NR (NR), rehabilitation clinics and medical centres, NR | 8♂, 16♀, 50 (18), NR (NR), advertisement, NR | NR, NR, NR | Yes, fast head rotation, yes, yes, sitting, NR, NR, pain limit, fast as possible, no | ProReflex system (Qualisys Medical AB®, Gothenburg, Sweden), 120, 0.8 (1.73), NR, NR, NR | CNP. F: 46.6 (18.0), E: 38.2 (12.3), pooled rotation: 55.7 (16.1) | WAD. F: 31.6 (18.1)c, E: 27.0 (14.8)c, pooled rotation: 41.9 (19)c | HC. F: 65.3 (10.8)ab, E: 51.2 s (11.4)b, pooled rotation: 71.3 (11.3)ab |
| Guo 2012, case control | NP, NR (NR), VAS 27 (20) mm, 13♂, 14♀, 24.2 (5.9), NR (NR), NR, NR | Total 13, NR♂, NR♀, 20.9 (1.3), NR (NR), NR, NR | NR, NR, NR | NR, AROM, NR, NR, sitting, NR, NR, end range, self-selected, NR | Fastrak, Polhemius, USA, 120, NR, NR, AROM: > 0, 791 conjuct motion: > 0.4, NR | NP. F: 59.7 (13.7), E: 70.8 (15.4), LR: 68.1 (9.3), RR: 63.1 (9.5), LLF: 44.4 (10.3), RLF: 46.0 (9.0) | HC. F: 62.2 (11.1), E: 79.4 (11.7)a, LR: 69.8 (7.1), RR: 71.2 (6.4)a, LLF: 46.6 (6.0), RLF: 48.6 (6.9) | |
| Law 2013, case control | NP, NR (NR), NR (NR), 9♂, 17♀, 44.52 (7.11), NR (NR), physiotherapy department, NR | 9♂, 17♀, 45.28 (9.12), NR (NR), physiotherapy department, NR | Physiotherapists, yes | Yes, AROM, yes, yes, sitting (F, E, LF), prone (R), yes, end range, slow, no | Electronic CROM goniometer, on activation, NR, NR, 0.71 < 091, 3.50 (154.72–168.44) < 6.05 (112.11–135.81) | NP. F/E: 89.09 (14.38), R: 134.42 (18.91), LF: 69.04 (12.54) | HC. F/E: 123.96 (15.12)a, R: 161.58 (9.36)a, LF: 89.19) (13.10)a | |
| Lemmers 2018, case control | Non-specific, NR, 4 (2) NPRS, 16♂19♀, 48 (15), NR, physiotherapy clinic, NR | 50♂ 50♀, 44 (16), NR, physiotherapy clinic, NR | NR, NR, NR | Yes, AROM, yes, yes, sitting with back support, no, pain limit, self-selected, no | ‘Flock of Birds electromagnetic tracking system (Ascension Technologies, Shelburne, USA©), no, NR, NR, NR, NR’ | Non-specific NP, F/E: 94.30 (17.41), R LF: 53.21 (14.44) | HC, F/E: 100.48 (18.30), LF: 57.35 (14.81) | |
| Meisingset 2015, case control | NP, > 2 weeks, NPRS 4.6 (1.4), 20♂, 55♀, 43.1 (12.9), 24.9 (4.7), private physiotherapy clinic and specialised neck and back pain clinic at university hospital, NR | 43♂, 48♀, 40.8 (13.8), 25 (3.5), university hospital, NR | Physiotherapist, well trained, NR | Unclear, AROM, JPE, unclear, yes, sitting, back support, fixed to back support, end range, self- selected, yes (JPE test) | Electromagnetic motion tracker system (Polhemus, Inc, Colchester, Vermont, USA), 240 Hz, NR, NR, NR, NR | NP (adjusted for age and gender). F/E: 110.1 (19.4), R: 128.2 (17.7), LF: 68.1 (15.5) | HC (adjusted for age and gender). F/E: 126.2a (19.5), R: 140.7a (17), LF: 72.6a (15.1) | |
| Park 2017, case control | UPNP, > 6 weeks, VAS 60.45 (7.70) mm, 10♂10♀, 23.45 (1.9), NR, students at Yonsei University, NR | 10♂ 10♀, 23.35 (2.08), NR, students at Yonsei University, NR | NR, NR, NR | No, AROM, NR, NR, sitting with back support, yes, pain limit, NR, NR | Students at Yonsei University, Germany), 20, 1°, NR, 0.80-0.90, NR | UPNP, F: 51.60 7.49), E: 64.71 (7.10), R non-pain side: 55.31 (9.68), R pain side: 50.79 (10.01), LF non-paid side: 40.45 (4.52), LF pain side: 31.88 6.11) | HC, F: 59.73 (7.28)a, E: 72.59 (7.84)a, R non-pain side: 56.63 (7.83)a, R pain side: 58.43 (8.55), LF non-pain side: 44.92 (4.15)LF pain side: 40.11 (5.74) | |
| Prushansky 2006, case control | WAD II and III, > 6 months < 132 months, NR (NR), 47♂, 54♀, 40.3 (10.6), (NR), NR, NR | 16♂, 59♀, 36.3 (8.9) (8.9), NR (NR), NR, NR | NR, NR, NR | Yes, AROM, NR, yes, NR, NR, pain limit, self-selected, NR | Zebris CMS 70P system (Zebris Medizintechnik Gmbh, Isny, Germany), NR, NR, NR, NR, NR | WAD. F: 30.5 (15.1), E: 28.9 (13.3), LR: 43.1 (16.6), RR: 41.3 (14.3), LLF: 27.1 (9.6), RLF: 25.9 (10.0) | HC. F: 58.7 (12.7), E: 64.1 (15.5), LR: 73.9 (10.7), RR: 71.1 (9.3), LLF: 41.9 (8.0), RLF: 43.0 (7.6) | |
| Röijezon 2010, case control | Non-specific neck pain (sample 1), 132 (NR) months, VAS 62 (16) mm, 0♂, 16♀, 48 (7), 26.6 (4.9), local papers, NR. Non-specific neck pain (sample 2), 120 (NR) months, NPRS 5.4 (1.6), 0♂, 102♀, 51 (9), 26.7 (4.7), local papers, NR | 0♂, 16♀, 45 (10), 23.8 (1.7), local papers, NR 0♂, 33♀, 47 (10), 24.9 (4.1), local papers, NR | NR, NR, NR | Yes, no, fast ROM, yes, yes, sitting, NR, NR, fast as possible, no | Electromagnetic tracking system (FASTRAK™, Polhemus Inc, USA), 60 Hz, NR, NR, peak speed: HC 0.75 (0.41–0.91), NP 0.84 (0.58–0.94). ROM: HC 0.64 (0.21–86), NP 0.86 (0.63–0.95), peak speed: HC 33 (25–52), NP 41 (31–64). HC ROM: 4.2 (3.1–6.4), NP 3.8 (2.8–5.9 | NP. R: 52.7 (9.2) | HC. R: 61.5 (8.3)a | |
| Rudolfsson 2012, case control | CNP, 120 (NR) months, NPRS 3.5 (2.0), 0♂, 102♀, 51 (9), 26.7 (4.7), NR, NR | 0♂, 33♀, 47 a (10), 24.9 (4.1), NR, NR | NR, NR, yes | Yes, F, E and R, NR, yes, sitting with back support, fixed, end range, self-selected, eyes closed | Fastrak, Polhemus Inc, USA, 60, NR, NR, NR, NR | NP. UC F: 32.6 (6.1), UC E: 40.4 (9.2), LC F: 16.0 (5.4), LC E: 3.0 (2.8), R: 115.2 (17.0) | HC. UC F:33.9 (6.0), UC E: 50.9 (8.2), LC F: 21.1 (4.5), LC E: 5.4 (4.2), R: 136.2 (15.0) | |
| Rudolfsson 2017, cross-sectional | Non-specific neck pain, 60 (24–124) months, NPRS 4,62 (1,8), 0♂120♀, 47,3 (11,6), 24,7 (4,2), NR, NR | 0♂ 40♀ 46,9 (11,8), 23,3 (2,8), NR, NR | Medical doctor, NR, NR | Yes, AROM (F/E), natural head posture, NR, yes, sitting, back support, fix to back support, far as possible, NR, NR | FASTRAK, Polhemus Inc., Colchester, VT, USA, 40 Hz, NR, NR, NR, NR | NP: UC F: 33.7 (7.0). UC E: − 46.0 (10.6). LC F: 11.8 (6.0). LC E: − 1.8 (4.7) | HC: UC F: 36.3 (7.8)a. UC E: − 53.3 (9.9). LC F: 16.3 (5.3). LC E: 2.6 (5.9)a | |
| Sarig-Bahat 2010, case control | CNP, 43.4 (5.3), VAS 33 (20.5) mm, 9♂, 16♀, 39.0 (12.7), NR (NR), local physiotherapy clinic, NR | 11♂, 31♀, 35.3 (12.4), NR (NR), University of Haifa, NR | NR, NR, NR | Yes, AROM, no, yes, sitting, yes, end range, NR, NR | Fastrak, Polhemus, 60, NR, NR, NR, NR | CNP. F: 46.1 (16.4), E: 43.1 (15.0), LR: 59.2 (11.0), RR: 57.5 (12.5) | HC. F: 58.4 (11.5), E: 44.3 (10.9), LR: 66.7 (6.6), RR: 66.3 (7.5) | |
| Sjølander 2008, case control | Insidious neck pain, 97 (68) months, VAS 52 (16) mm, 0♂, 9♀, 40 (9), NR (NR), rehabilitation centre, NR. WAD II and III, 76 (84), VAS 45 (19) mm, 2♂, 5♀, 45 (11), NR (NR), rehabilitation centre, NR | 3♂, 13♀, 41 (9), NR (NR), local community, NR | NR, NR, NR | Yes, AROM in rotation, yes, yes, standing, NA, end range, fast as possible, NR | Electromagnetic tracking system, 60, NR, NR, NR, NR | Insidious neck pain. LR: 61.8 (10.9), RR: 57.9 (11.0) | WAD. LR: 68.5 (12.9), RR: 67.7 (12.1) | HC. LR: 71.9 (13), RR: 70.7 (11.2) |
| Tsang 2013, case control | CNP, 5.13 years, NPRS 38.97/100, 9♂25♀, 38.44 (10.87), 21.77 (3.03), local community, NR | 9♂ 25♀, 34.35 (9.08), 22.07, local community, NR | NR, NR, NR | Yes, AROM, yes, yes, sitting, NR, no, end range, NR, no | Fastrak, Polhemus Inc., Colchester, VT, USA, 30, NR, NR, NR, NR | CNP. F: ≈ 33 (4), E: ≈ 28 (6), LR: ≈ 57 (8), RR: ≈ 58 (10), LLF: ≈ 25 (8), RLF: ≈ 28 (8) | HC. F: ≈ 32 (6), E: ≈ 28 (6), LR: ≈ 61 (10), RR: ≈ 61 (8), LLF: ≈ 25 (6), RLF: ≈ 28 (69) | |
| Vogt 2007, case control | CNP, NR (NR), WAS 37 (8) mm, 6♂, 10♀, 55.8 (2.8), NR (NR), co-operating rehabilitation clinics, NR | 8♂, 10♀, 56.6 (3.5) (3.5), NR (NR), advertisements, NR | NR, NR, NR | Yes, AROM, yes, yes, sitting, NR, end range, self-selected, NR | Zebris CMS 70©, Germany, 30, > 0.6 mm, NR, > 0.92 (r = 0.996–0.921; p < 0.001), NR | CNP. F: 40.7 (19.9), E: 44.3 (18.4), LR: 52.6 (17.3), RR: 56.6 (18.9), LLF: 25.4 (9.6), RLF: 27.8 (14.0) | HC. F: 56.3 (8.5), E: 67.3 (10.2), LR: 75.3 (7.5), RR: 68.6 (6.5), LLF: 35.0 (6.6), RLF:35.1 (6.8) | |
| Waeyaert 2016, case control | CNP,> 3 months, NR (NR), 9♂, 28♀, 45.72 (13.19), NR (NR), NR, NR | 91♂, 59♀, 40.85 (13.19), NR (NR), NR, NR | Manual therapists, 2–20 years, yes | Unclear, AROM, NR, yes, sitting, NR, NR, withoutcausing discomfort, NR, NR | Electromagnetic tracking system (Flock of Birds; Ascension Technologies, Shelburne, VT), NR, NR, NR, NR, NR | CNP. F/E: NR (NR), R: NR (NR), LF: 59.28 (15.41) | HC. F/E: NR (NR), R: NR (NR), LF: 68.67a (15.17) | |
| Wilke 2016, case control | Myofascial neck pain, NR (NR), NR (NR), 9♂, 13♀, 33.4 (13.9), 22.9 (3.5), clinic for orthopaedic surgery | 9♂, 13♀, 34.5 (13), 23.8 (3.6), NR, NR | NR, NR, NR | Unclear, AROM, yes, yes, sitting, NR, NR, NR, NR, NR | Three-dimensional, ultrasonic movement analysis system (Zebris CMS 70, Zebris Meditechnic GmbH, Isny, Germany), 30 Hz, > 0.6 mm, NR, 0.86-0.95, NR | CNP. F/E: 125.9 (23.2) | HC. F/E: 128.2 (20.4) | |
| Woodhouse 2008, case control | WAD I and II, > 6 months, NPRS 5.60 (2.49), 22♂, 34♀, 38.19 (10.8), NR (NR), referred, NR. CNP, > 6 months (NR), NPRS 3.84 (− 1.74), 19♂, 38♀, 43.7 (12.6), NR (NR), physiotherapists and general practitioners, NR | 29♂, 28♀, 38.2 (10.9), NR (NR), different, NR | NR, NR, No | NR, AROM, NR, yes, sitting, NR, end range, NR, eyes closed | 3-Space Fastrak, 120 Hz, reference, NR, NR, NR | WAD. F/E: 81.8 (34.6), R: 106.2 (34.7), LF: 60.9 (18.8) | CNP. F/E: 114.0 (20.0)c, R: 133.1 (18.6)c, LF: 72.2 (13.2)c | HC. F/E: 134.0 (20.7)ab, R: 151.7 (16.5)ab, LF: 84.9 (13.8)ab |
*Is test position in sitting, standing, with back support? Is the test subject fixed to the back support? Test to end range or pain limit? Movement speed self-selected, fast as possible or fixed? Is the test subject blindfolded?
aSignificant difference neck pain group I vs HC (p > 0,05)
bSignificant difference neck pain group II vs HC (p > 0,05)
cSignificant difference neck pain group I vs II (p > 0,05). ≈ Red from a graph