Chronic Neck Pain and its Influence on Respiratory Function

A Review Article

Abstract

The close connection between cervical and thoracic region has lead to the assumption that neck pain subjects may exhibit changes in respiratory function. The objective of this study was to review the researches assessing the alterations in respiratory function in chronic neck pain. The studies published in PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, Springer and Google Scholar were searched and, the studies examining the cervical and respiratory parameters in neck pain patients were included. Total 73 studies were reviewed but, only 14 studies met our inclusion criteria. Significant differences in respiratory variables such as respiratory pressures and pulmonary volumes were noted in chronic neck pain subjects as compared to healthy subjects. Respiratory muscle strength (Pimax and Pemax) and other pulmonary variables were found to be significantly correlated to the strength of neck flexors, extensors, NDI, kinesiophobia and catastrophising state. Breathing training lead to improvements in respiratory as well as cervical musculoskeletal variables. It was found in this review that respiratory dysfunction exists in patients with chronic neck pain and the experimental studies focusing on both cervical musculoskeletal and respiratory parameters should be conducted in future studies.